Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 Coaster Closed Amid Cal/OSHA Review
The famous ride remains unavailable following a reported July incident, although the park has not confirmed the reason for its closure.
If you love roller coasters, the latest news from Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, might give you pause. Its famous X2 coaster has remained closed for more than a month while California officials investigate a reported incident involving the ride.
What We Know
Emergency crews responded to the park on July 5 after receiving a report of an unconscious person. Six Flags says X2 has been closed since the evening of July 12, although the park has not publicly connected the closure to the earlier emergency or explained why the ride remains unavailable.
Cal/OSHA’s Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit has opened an inspection into the reported incident. The park has not provided an estimated reopening date.
According to NewsNation, Cal/OSHA state inspectors responded to conduct a full review following the incident. Reporting on the ongoing closure, Fox 8 noted that “the park has stated there is no estimated reopening date” while regulatory agencies carry out their investigation.
Meanwhile, news coverage by KTLA 5 on YouTube reported that “fire crews responded to the Valencia theme park after receiving report of an unconscious person,” adding that theme park representatives confirmed “X2 remains closed at this time.”
An Amazing Ride
The X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain is hailed as an amazing ride and a good engineering feat. Per the Ultimate Rollercoaster, it arrived as the first 4th Dimension roller coaster.
It’s certainly a wild ride because it’s not like the usual entertainment that folks experience. The wing-style seats rotate 360 degrees independently on a separate mechanical axis.
That makes people on the ride experience movement in all directions, including being pitched forward, backward, up and down. But it should be noted that some riders have reported feeling disoriented afterward.
Viewers React
Some of the people who admitted they experienced unpleasant sensations commented under the video by KTLA. One of them wrote:
“I love riding roller coasters, and I have ridden many different types in the past. I rode X2 for the first time in May, and it felt a little different because it made me dizzy all day and night. Thank goodness it was the last roller coaster I rode before going home. I don’t think I will be able to get on more rides after X2. I recommend that people think carefully before getting on the X2.”
But plenty of other people seemed irritated that a favorite attraction had been closed for investigation and inspection.
One person felt it seemed a bit unfair, writing, “This is like going sky diving and blaming airplanes for having a heart attack. Over a million people have ridden the ride in the last 25 years.”
Another person with a simialr view opined, “Kind of hard to blame a roller coaster that millions of people have been on without experiencing any medical injuries. I don’t know about this one.”
More people thought it was unfortunate that one person suffered a problem during the experience, but also pointed out that “People really need to be aware of their medical condition/history before riding these intense rides.”
Did you ever go on a wild roller coaster like the X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain? Did it make you feel a bit disoriented? Join the discussion and then come back here for all your travel news and updates.