Six Flags is permanently retiring its X2 roller coaster, the company announced Wednesday, citing safety concerns. The move follows a string of lawsuits and a state investigation into injuries tied to the ride.
The X2 was originally launched as X in 2002. It featured skydiving, backflipping, frontflipping, and “raven turning,” and operated at a maximum speed of 76 mph. The ride became a signature attraction at parks across the country.
Three parties have recently brought suit alleging brain injuries against Six Flags and the ride’s seat manufacturer, S&S Worldwide. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has also begun an inquiry into the injuries surrounding X2.
The Case Against X2
At least “100 additional people” are coming forward with X2-related cases of “brain bleeds and other head trauma” over the last two years, according to attorneys at a recent press conference. Reported deaths are also associated with the ride, with one as recent as June 2022.
Two riders have been publicly named in connection with the injuries:
- Pamela Guillen, 40 — underwent emergency brain surgery and had to relearn how to walk and talk
- Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, 25 — remains in a coma
Guillen’s recovery required extensive rehabilitation. Greer-Wilkinson’s condition is serious and ongoing.
The lawsuits allege that the seat design contributed to the injuries. Attorneys representing affected riders have described the cases at recent press conferences.
What Six Flags Says
Six Flags issued a statement through Oerding, who said: “Our purpose is to create FUN, thrills and a lifetime of memories by creating unforgettable experiences that are underpinned by comprehensive safety policies. To learn more about our ride safety program, visit our website at Ride Safety at Six Flags.”
The company has not commented directly on the pending litigation or the state inquiry. Its public position points riders to its website for safety information.
The Ongoing Investigation
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has begun an inquiry into the injuries surrounding X2. That inquiry is ongoing.
The state agency’s role is to protect worker safety.
The decision to retire the X2 was made based on safety considerations, according to Six Flags. The company has not said whether it will remove the ride from all parks immediately or phase it out over time.
What This Means for Riders
The retirement means the X2 will no longer operate at any Six Flags park. Riders who wanted to experience the signature attraction will now need to choose a different park or a different ride.
The company’s stated purpose — “FUN, thrills and a lifetime of memories” — is now being tested against the reality of injuries. The lawsuits and the state inquiry suggest that some riders have traded those memories for medical bills and permanent injury.
The investigation is ongoing. Six Flags has not said whether it will address the specific allegations against S&S Worldwide.
The ride’s defenders might argue that accidents happen. They might say that thrill rides carry risks and that safety systems exist to manage them. But the number of lawsuits, the state inquiry, and the specific injuries described paint a picture of a ride that went wrong more often than it should have.
Six Flags has said it prioritizes safety. The company has cited its comprehensive safety policies and invited riders to visit its website for more information. That is a corporate response, not a personal one.
The paper’s principles favor individual safety over corporate reassurances. The investigation is ongoing, and the lawsuits remain pending. Until those cases are resolved, the full picture of what happened to the riders who were injured will remain incomplete.
For now, the X2 is gone. The question of whether it should have been is one that will likely follow the company for years to come.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| X launched as X | 2002 |
| X2 retired | Announced Wednesday |
| Recent lawsuits filed | Three parties |
| Deaths reported | Including one as recent as June 2022 |
| State inquiry opened | California Division of Occupational Safety and Health |
The X2 was a thrilling ride. It was fast, it was daring, and it gave riders a moment they could remember for years. That moment came with a cost.
The lawsuits and the state inquiry suggest that the ride’s design put riders at risk. The injuries described by attorneys at recent press conferences — brain bleeds, head trauma — are serious. The fact that Guillen had to relearn how to walk and talk is a measure of that cost.
Greer-Wilkinson’s coma is ongoing. Her family has not spoken publicly about her condition.
The ride’s defenders might argue that accidents happen. They might say that thrill rides carry risks and that safety systems exist to manage them. But the number of lawsuits, the state inquiry, and the specific injuries described paint a picture of a ride that went wrong more often than it should have.
Six Flags has said it prioritizes safety. The company has cited its comprehensive safety policies and invited riders to visit its website for more information. That is a corporate response, not a personal one.
The paper’s principles favor individual safety over corporate reassurances. The investigation is ongoing, and the lawsuits remain pending. Until those cases are resolved, the full picture of what happened to the riders who were injured will remain incomplete.
For now, the X2 is gone. The question of whether it should have been is one that will likely follow the company for years to come.
See the video the story is built around at The A.V. Club.
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