Wisner calls for government oversight of amusement rides after X2 closure

Dordick Law says hundreds of riders alleged catastrophic brain injuries on X2

The attorney whose firm represented the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 rollercoaster in 2022 called Tuesday for government oversight of amusement park rides, hours after the California park announced it would permanently retire the coaster.

While the Hawley family is “relieved to hear that Six Flags is finally closing the X2, it does not change the fact that Christopher Hawley was killed by a dangerous roller coaster that was allowed to operate for nearly two decades,” attorney Brent Wisner of Wisner Baum LLP said in a statement to the BBC. The Hawley family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Six Flags in August.

“That tragedy cannot be undone,” Wisner said, calling for “legal reform, proactive regulation and proper governmental oversight.” He added: “We cannot rely on profit-centered corporations to do the right thing only after enough people have been hurt. We hope that whatever replaces the X2 is safe.”

Wisner’s statement came the same day Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Brian Oerding announced the permanent closure of X2, which had been closed since July amid civil lawsuits and news reports alleging that hundreds of riders suffered brain injuries after riding X2. “Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously,” Oerding said.

The park said the ride had passed a range of safety tests but was being retired because it was “the right thing to do.” A law firm representing some plaintiffs said the closure decision had come “too late” for its clients.

Dordick Law Corporation, which filed civil lawsuits against the park, said it had been contacted by hundreds of people who alleged they suffered injuries they believed were caused by the ride. “They got on X2 expecting a thrill. Instead, they left with catastrophic brain injuries,” the firm said in a statement. “Some needed emergency brain surgery. Some are still fighting to get their lives back.”

While Dordick welcomed the closure to protect future guests, the firm said, “it does nothing for the people who have already been hurt.”

The X2 had a history of prior closures before its permanent retirement. Originally called X, the ride opened in 2002 but was closed months later for repairs to design flaws, the Los Angeles Times reported. It closed again in 2007 to replace its trains with lighter versions and reopened the following year as X2.

The park said the coaster has been ridden by more than 16 million people since the 2008 reopening. The X2 features seats that spin 360 degrees and was one of the park’s main attractions, with long wait times to ride.