Six Flags says X2 coaster retirement was 'the right thing to do'

Six Flags operates 20 amusement parks, 14 water parks, 9 resorts

Six Flags said it decided to retire the X2 roller coaster at one of its parks in Southern California because it was “the right thing to do,” even though the ride had passed a range of safety tests, according to BBC News. The Southern California park announced it would close the coaster after more than 100 people alleged brain injuries from the ride.

Six Flags is the largest amusement park operator in North America, operating 20 amusement parks, 14 water parks and nine resorts across Canada, the US and Mexico, according to BBC News.

One person died and several others were injured in an incident on a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, an amusement park in the US state of Georgia about 15 miles (24 km) from Atlanta. The Cobb County Police Department said it was investigating the incident at the park, according to the BBC’s news partner CBS. The agency did not specify what ride was involved, but aerial footage from news helicopters showed the Goliath roller coaster stuck on the railway, with riders being helped off by workers.

Six Flags Over Georgia said it was “deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones.”

A park spokesperson said in a statement that its team and local authorities responded immediately, and they are cooperating on an investigation into the incident. Officials have not said how the person was killed. The BBC has contacted local police and fire authorities.

The incident came just weeks after one of the company’s parks in Southern California announced it would close the X2 roller coaster.