2 riders suffer brain hemorrhages on roller coaster at 'world's scariest park'

A string of serious injuries has struck Six Flags Magic Mountain, a California theme park billed as the scariest in the world, with multiple roller coaster riders suffering brain hemorrhages.

Two women riding the X2 roller coaster at the park in Valencia, California, underwent surgery for brain hemorrhages within a week of each other last month, CNN reported Thursday (local time).

Pamela Guillen, 40, developed a severe subdural hematoma after riding X2 and required surgery. She has not recovered her speech or motor functions and is currently undergoing rehabilitation, including relearning how to talk and walk.

Six days later, Naomi Greer Wilkins, 25, lost consciousness on the same ride and underwent emergency brain surgery. She remains in a coma.

Neurosurgeons who treated both women said the serious brain injuries resulted from trauma caused by sudden deceleration and acceleration during the X2 ride.

X2 is marketed as the world's first "fourth-dimension roller coaster," designed to send riders plunging headfirst while seated in chairs that rotate 360 degrees. The park's website describes how the seats extend outward like wings, keeping riders in constant rotation throughout the ride.

Safety concerns about X2 are not new.

Court documents reviewed by CNN show that X2 has been linked to more than 10 cases of serious injury and hospitalization over the past two decades, two of them fatal.

In 2022, Christopher Holly, 22, struck the back of his seat with his head multiple times during the ride and lost consciousness immediately after disembarking. He was taken to a nearby hospital but died within 10 hours from a severe brain hemorrhage.

In 2010, Hilda Faria, 28, died after riding X2. Medical personnel determined that part of her brain had ruptured due to the ride's violent movements.

Despite the repeated incidents, Six Flags continued operating X2 and promoted it as one of its signature attractions before finally suspending the ride on July 12.

California state authorities are currently conducting a safety investigation.