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Intense 6 Flags Rollercoaster in USA Shut after 2 Riders Suffer Brain Trauma

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I have been on some intense theme park rides over the years , one in Texas which involved a sudden drop from a great height , Space Mountain at Disneyland many years ago, one at Alton Towers which i believe no longer operates that involved going backwards at speed , and one i won't forget in a hurry at Terra Mitica near Benidorm in Spain , a rickety old wooden rollercoaster that shook every bone in my body 

But this one in California has caused horrific brain injuries to at least two riders 

Besides the rollercoaster, which features rotating seats and steep, sudden drops, has also been linked to dozens of injuries, lifelong disabilities, comas and deaths, according to court files reviewed by the outlet.

Pamela Guillen reportedly suffered a severe subdural haematoma and brain compression after hitting her head multiple times on the X2's headrest during the ride.

She lost consciousness soon afterwards and was placed on a ventilator in the back of an ambulance. Surgeons removed part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain.

She is now learning how to walk and talk since her injury, and is dependent on medication to prevent seizures.

It was allowed to continue operating despite years of warnings and dozens of complaints

And to add insult to injury they were offered a Mcdonalds meal as compensation !!!

Another man died from his injuries riding it in 2022, . He collapsed and was taken to hospital, doctors had to remove part of his skull and found his brain was so swollen it began bulging out of an opening

A specialist said it compared to injuries to a child with shaken baby syndrome or a high speed car crash

The ride remains closed at this time, i would think so too !!

Do you do these extreme rides ?

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/27/us/six-flags-rollercoaster-brain-injury-invs

telmel
2 weeks ago
Comments+20 points
eyeballkerry

Wow, you have some terrifying information here. I have been on Space mountain at Disneyland Paris many years ago. Not by choice, I may add, more forced. I closed my eyes to the ‘moon’ looked at the ‘moon’ then shut my eyes until it finished. I am not a fan of rollercoaster. The ride you mentioned sounds horrundous. I remember the awful accident at Alton Towers in 2015 when two young women suffered leg amputations following the tragic crash on The Smiler ride. I never enjoyed rollercoasters and now at a certain age will never go on one again.

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telmel

eyeballkerry I think i am getting a bit long in the tooth now too E , especially after finding this article

They do have multiple warnings for people to see before they take the rides , so i suppose that might cover them for these injuries , obviously not the ones where people lose limbs through a defect on the ride though

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Sherrifffroggy

Good grief! How was that ride allowed to continue to operate? That has to be a major lawsuit waiting to happen. I went on roller coasters when I was younger just to keep in with friends and not be a bore, but really I never liked them. I never went on Smiler at Alton Towers despite having gone several times to the park. I have done Space Mountain several times in Florida. I have no plans to ever go on one ever again, thank goodness.

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telmel

Sherrifffroggy All the rides i have been on S had my head continually being bashed against the headrest

They are usually padded but the one near Benidorm wasn't , or at least if it was it wasn't cushioned enough , i ached all over for days after that one

I am not sure how any lawsuit would work with these rides though, as they warn you of possible injury on notice boards and say you ride at your own risk

Unless the lawyer can find a loophole they might not be able to claim, hence the derisory Mcdonalds meal offer as compensation

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Sherrifffroggy

telmel In American they do criminal cases and the civil suits. I'm sure some lawyer would have a go. I don't think the park should be allowed to continue operating a ride which has injured multiple people. Do they not have health and safety and inspectors? The ride should be safe despite a ride at your own risk - risk of serious brain injury or death? That's not an appropriate risk. My dad got his neck put out on dodgem ride. He was in his 60s then. I'm not sure theme parks past middle age is a good idea.

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telmel

Sherrifffroggy As you say it would probably end up as a civil case , if anyone knows how to get people compensation the Americans do

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martinlufc5637

I use to love rollercoaster but as I've gotten older I don't go on them anymore, I prefer to watch kids being terrified lol

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Swimmer94

That's awful, who wants a McDonald's meal as compensation! I don't do the extreme ones but will do some rides. I will never touch rides at funfairs though as they are not maintained by professionals etc.

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hspexy

I love a good rollercoaster, but I’ve heard some of the horrific accidents that have happened, which I consider as very unlucky for those involved (I guess if the operators fail to do regular check’s & maintenance, a fun experience will become someone’s worst nightmare

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