The discovery of a critical structural flaw on the Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds in 2023 and the subsequent closure of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 coaster following two severe brain injury incidents highlight ongoing concerns about amusement ride safety. Both events, though distinct in cause, underscore the need for rigorous inspections and transparency in the industry.
Structural Flaw Discovered by a Visitor
A visitor at Carowinds, Jeremy Wagner, captured footage of a nearly severed steel support column on the Fury 325 roller coaster in 2023. The giga coaster, which reaches 95 mph and drops 325 feet, was shut down for six weeks after engineers found the fractured beam. Wagner’s video, which showed daylight passing through the crack, revealed a flaw that had evaded routine inspections. State regulators later estimated the crack had been developing for six to 10 days prior, with another guest, Tiffany Collins Newton, unknowingly photographing its early stages on June 24.
The incident prompted a comprehensive overhaul of the ride’s structure, including the replacement of the fractured column and additional checks across the entire system. Despite the shutdown, safety analyst Ken Martin told Fox News Digital that the coaster had come close to a major incident,
though no official investigation confirmed this assessment.
Injuries Prompt Immediate Closure
At Six Flags Magic Mountain, the X2 roller coaster was closed after two riders suffered traumatic brain injuries within six days in July 2023. The first incident involved a woman who required emergency surgery for a brain hemorrhage, while the second victim remained in a coma. Three neurosurgeons linked the injuries to a traumatic rapid acceleration-deceleration event
experienced on the ride, which reaches 76 mph and features rotating seats.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Legal Implications
Cal/OSHA and North Carolina’s Amusement Device Bureau are investigating both incidents. At Carowinds, the state’s annual inspection in February 2023 had found only minor issues, but the crack was missed during routine checks. North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson noted that the flaw likely developed over weeks, with photos showing its progression. Meanwhile, Six Flags faces ongoing scrutiny over its safety protocols, following the 2019–2022 period during which 70 head and neck injury complaints were reported for X2.
In contrast, Fury 325 reopened on August 10, 2023, after engineers completed repairs and conducted over 500 test cycles. Both incidents have reignited debates over the adequacy of current safety measures and the role of visitor vigilance in detecting risks.
Safety Protocols and Industry Response
The two incidents have sparked calls for enhanced inspection standards. At Carowinds, the role of visitor footage in identifying the crack has raised questions about the limitations of scheduled walk-throughs. A maintenance schedule was built around trained staff at set times,
one analysis noted, but it was not built around several thousand cameras pointed at the same steel all day.
At Six Flags, the recurring injuries have led to heightened scrutiny of the X2’s design. Riders who survived the 2022 incident described the ride as extremely rough,
with one stating, It just jerked us. It just jerked us all around.
The park’s spokesperson emphasized that the coaster operated exactly as intended,
but critics argue that the frequency of injuries suggests systemic risks.
What the Future Holds for Coaster Safety
As both rides remain under review, the incidents underscore the tension between innovation and safety in the amusement industry. While Six Flags and Carowinds have taken steps to address the issues, the lack of public details about the investigations leaves many questions unanswered. For riders, the events serve as a reminder that even the most advanced attractions carry inherent risks—and that vigilance, both from operators and guests, is critical.