Six Flags Magic Mountain's roller coaster X2 causes lawsuit over brain injury controversy

Seoul = Yonhap News Reporter Hyun Young-bok = Six Flags Magic Mountain, a world-famous American amusement park, ended up embroiled in a lawsuit due to the roller coaster 'X2', which caused controversy over brain damage among users.

According to CNN on the 22nd (local time), civil lawyer Christopher Bullone held a press conference and announced that he had filed three lawsuits against Six Flags this week, saying, "Six Flags has been gambling with people's lives. Such amusement rides should not exist."

Lawyers say there are hundreds of people who claim they are unable to file lawsuits because the statute of limitations has expired or have suffered injuries unrelated to brain damage.

X2, the flagship ride of Six Flags in Valencia, California, is a roller coaster whose seats rotate 360 ​​degrees while traveling at a speed of 80 miles per hour (about 129 km) for about two minutes. With its nearly vertical drops and unpredictable movements, it has become popular with thrill-seekers around the world.

CNN reported that more than 100 people have claimed to have suffered brain damage after riding Six Flags' X2 in the past two years alone.

Last month, CNN publicized the dangers of the X2 by reporting more than 10 cases of serious injuries and hospitalizations related to riding the X2. These cases also included at least two fatal accidents.

The media pointed out that although the dangers of X2 had been raised about 10 years ago, most of the related facts had been covered up before this report.

The lawsuits criticized Six Flags officials for allowing the X2 to continue operating despite being fully aware of its risks.

Pamela Gillan, 40, and Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, 26, lost consciousness after getting off the X2 in July and underwent emergency surgery with serious brain injuries. These two accidents occurred one after another within a week of each other.

According to an email obtained by CNN, doctors who treated the men determined that their injuries were caused by the rapid deceleration and acceleration they experienced while riding the X2.

“I had to relearn how to talk and walk, I suffer from severe headaches and difficulty concentrating,” Gillen told CNN. “I take medication to prevent seizures.”

Greer-Wilkinson remains in a coma following brain surgery.

Michael Wilk, who worked as a lawyer, claimed that he underwent multiple surgeries for cerebral hemorrhage after riding the X2 in February. He complained that he is currently unable to perform his duties as a lawyer due to severe headaches, memory loss, and lack of concentration.

Six Flags continued to operate the X2 despite warnings from amusement park visitors and medical experts, but stopped operation on the night of July 12. This measure was taken about a day after two accidents occurred within a week of each other, but the reason for the suspension was not disclosed.

Six Flags and California state officials declined to respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Six Flags' attorneys defended the amusement park, saying that signs were posted warning passengers that using all rides involves risk and that X2 undergoes regular inspections.