MASON, Ohio -- The clock is ticking for one of Kings Island’s 16 roller coasters.
The Cincinnati-area amusement park announced Thursday that Firehawk -- a flying coaster experience -- will close forever at the end of this season.
Although it’s still a popular ride, park officials say Firehawk “has simply reached the end of its service life.”
Northeast Ohio thrill seekers may remember the roller coaster as X-Flight, which originally opened at the former Geauga Lake property in 2001 when the Aurora park was owned by Six Flags.
After Geauga Lake permanently closed a few years later, X-Flight was dismantled and moved to Kings Island where it reopened as Firehawk on May 26, 2007.
The coaster's final rides will take place on Kings Island’s last night of the regular 2018 season, which is Sunday Oct. 28.
Firehawk’s demise comes 11 years, five months and two days since it was first unleashed at Kings Island.
A mock funeral for Firehawk has been staged in the park’s ride graveyard, which is on display for Kings Island’s Halloween Haunt.
