How Fast Was It? U.S. Amusement Park Halts Roller Coaster Operations After Multiple Deaths and Brain Hemorrhages

Six Flags' Flagship Attraction in the U.S.
Extreme Thrills Lead to Reports of Brain Injuries Among Riders

The American amusement park "Six Flags," often cited as "the scariest amusement park in the world," is embroiled in controversy after a series of accidents involving one of its signature roller coasters. A string of incidents—including passenger deaths and injuries—has fueled the debate.

According to CNN in the United States on the 27th (local time), two accidents occurred on the roller coaster "X2" at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, over the span of a week last month. Two female passengers suffered symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage and required emergency surgery.

Six Flags' signature roller coaster X2 rails. Screenshot from the internet community Reddit

The first patient, Pamela Guillen (age 40), developed a severe subdural hematoma after riding X2 and underwent surgery. Even after the operation, her speech and physical abilities did not return, so she is currently undergoing rehabilitation to regain her ability to speak and walk.

The second patient, Greer Wilkins (age 25), lost consciousness while on the roller coaster and was rushed to the hospital for brain surgery. Wilkins reportedly remains in a coma and is being treated in the intensive care unit.

Medical experts have raised the possibility that X2 may have affected the passengers' brains. Neurosurgeons who treated Guillen and Wilkins told CNN, "The cause of the serious brain injuries may be the shocks caused by rapid deceleration and acceleration during the X2 ride."

X2 is one of Six Flags' flagship attractions, accelerating up to a top speed of 128.7 km/h over two minutes. It stands out from other roller coasters because its seats can rotate 360 degrees.

However, X2 has struggled with safety issues in the past as well. According to CNN, over the last 20 years, X2 has been linked to more than 10 cases in which riders suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization, and of these, two people died.

In one 2022 case, a man in his twenties was riding X2 with his cousins and hit his head several times against the back of the seat. He lost consciousness after disembarking and died of a cerebral hemorrhage about 10 hours later. In 2010, after a woman in her twenties died following the ride, medical staff identified a brain rupture caused by the violent motion of the roller coaster as the cause.

Meanwhile, Six Flags suspended operation of the roller coaster on the 12th of last month, and California state authorities are reportedly conducting a safety investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.