MAGIC MOUNTAIN SIX FLAGS X2 ROLLERCOASTER CLOSED AFTER TWO SEVERE BRAIN HEMORRHAGES
It’s been years since I’ve been on a roller coaster. So long, in fact, that I’m relatively clueless about all the new crazy features technology has made possible to thrill, titillate and terrify riders. In my mind, doing a straightforward loop-to-loop is still crazy. But I must admit that the vestiges of my “old” childish ambitions have made me curious about riding the multitude of new rollercoasters all over the world. Especially the kind where you hang suspended with your legs flying everywhere. But now my curious enthusiasm is suddenly dampened, if not snuffed out, with the news that one of those legs-dangling rides got shut down, the Six Flags X2. Why? Oh, only because it caused 2 brain hemorrhages in only six days.
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X2 WAS SHUT DOWN DESPITE BEING SAFETY COMPLIANT, RIDERS UNDERSTANDING RISKS
I’m sorry, did I say brain hemorrhages? I meant severe brain hemorrhages. And while there’s no reported analysis explaining exactly how the X2 caused those injuries yet, I’m guessing it has something to do with how it spins people in circles while going 76 miles an hour. But Six Flags begs to differ, and has maintained its position that the risks of riding the X2 are “inherent,” everyone who rides it is aware of those risks and that it’s consistently tested to stay in compliance with safety standards. While that sounds reasonable, there’s clearly some work that needs to be done updating these safety standards.
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SIX FLAGS MAINTAINS POSITION THAT A “NORMAL” RIDER COULDN’T SUSTAIN BRAIN HEMORRHAGES
Anyone would be alarmed to hear that a rollercoaster could cause 2 severe brain hemorrhages in such a short period of time, with one of those being fatal 10 hours after getting of the X2. But the X2 has a history with severe injuries over the last 20 years, including permanent disabilities, comas and other fatalities. While Six Flags still takes the position that a “normal” rider who uses the rollercoaster “as instructed” couldn’t get a severe brain hemorrhage, they nonetheless have shut it down. I’m still trying to work out how you could “use” the rollercoaster in any other way than “as instructed,” which means locked in securely.
Regardless, the X2 is closed, and will no longer have its #15 in Captain Coaster’s U.S. ranking.
