Six Flags Magic Mountain to close X2 roller coaster amid lawsuits over brain injuries

X2 has long been the signature attraction at Six Flags Magic Mountain north of Los Angeles.

Six Flags announced Tuesday that it will close the X2 roller coaster at its Magic Mountain theme park in Valencia, California

Billed as a "rite of passage for the ultimate daredevil," the roller coaster was first temporarily closed in July after reports of riders suffering injuries. The ride is facing multiple lawsuits over accusations that it caused severe brain injuries and, in at least one case, death.

X2 has long been the signature attraction at Six Flags Magic Mountain north of Los Angeles. The ride first opened in 2002 and then re-opened after renovations and rebranding in 2008.

"After almost 20 years, we have decided to permanently retire X2," Magic Mountain president Brian Oerding said. "Since X2 opened in 2008, it has welcomed more than 16 million guests and earned a passionate following among ride enthusiasts. We recognize the special place X2 holds in the coaster community, and we are grateful to our team members who operated and maintained it throughout its run.

"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, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.

"Our purpose is to create FUN, thrills and a lifetime of memories by creating unforgettable experiences that are underpinned by comprehensive safety policies. To learn more about our ride safety program, visit our website at Ride Safety at Six Flags."

X2 featured 360-degree rotating seats, a 215-foot drop and sudden flips and rotations. The ride reaches speeds of up to 76 mph.

A spokesperson for Six Flags declined to comment earlier this month on the legal action, saying "It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation."

Attorney Gary Dordick, whose law firm filed three lawsuits this week against Six Flags and S&S Worldwide, a manufacturer of the X2 ride, issued a statement Tuesday.

"Today Six Flags Magic Mountain finally did what it should have done long ago. X2 is closed for good," Dordick said. "For our clients, this decision comes too late. They got on X2 expecting a thrill. Instead they left with catastrophic brain injuries. Some needed emergency brain surgery. Some are still fighting to get their lives back."

This story originally appeared on NBCLosAngeles.com.