Los Angeles, California - A popular roller coaster in California has been permanently shut down after dozens of people claimed to have suffered brain damage while riding it.
The X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain features precipitous drops and jarring twists that have thrilled millions of riders over two decades, with seats that swivel 360 degrees as cars travel at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour.
But it has also sparked a rash of legal complaints, including from two women whose families say they were seriously injured in July on the ride.
Pamela Guillen suffered a severe subdural hematoma and brain compression after riding X2 on July 5, and underwent emergency surgery that required doctors to remove part of her skull, her family told CNN.
Less than a week later, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson of Los Angeles, 25, lost consciousness after riding X2 and underwent emergency brain surgery. She remained in a coma for weeks and still can't speak or breathe on her own.
The ride has been closed since shortly after the second incident, but on Tuesday park managers said they were shuttering it for good.
"After almost 20 years, we have decided to permanently retire X2," park President Brian Oerding said in a statement published online.
"While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it's the right thing to do. Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business."
Attorneys at Dordick Law, who are acting for Greer-Wilkinson, said they had been contacted by more than 100 people who say they were injured by the roller coaster.
"The design of this ride makes it inherently dangerous, and makes it dangerous in a way that no reasonable rider would expect," attorney Christopher Bulone said.