Skip to content

U.S. NewsBreaking

Six Flags permanently closes X2 roller coaster amid brain injury lawsuits

By

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 9 outlets across the spectrum.

9 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, announced Tuesday it will permanently close the X2 roller coaster, which had been shut since July 12. Park president Brian Oerding said the ride passed safety tests but was being retired because it was “the right thing to do.” The closure follows a CNN investigation and three lawsuits alleging riders suffered brain injuries, including one woman, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, who remains hospitalized after brain surgery. Attorneys say more than 100 people have reported injuries. Six Flags also settled a wrongful-death suit tied to a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Six Flags Magic Mountain announced it is permanently closing the X2 roller coaster.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. The ride had been closed since July 12, 2026.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  3. Park president Brian Oerding said X2 passed safety tests but was being retired because it was "the right thing to do."

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  4. Three lawsuits allege riders suffered brain injuries from the coaster.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  5. Attorneys say more than 100 people have contacted them alleging injuries from X2.

    Reported byLeftCenter

Show 2 more pointsShow fewer points

  1. Naomi Greer-Wilkinson suffered massive brain bleeding after riding X2 and remains hospitalized.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. Six Flags settled a wrongful-death lawsuit involving a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022.

    Reported byRight

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • How many deaths are linked to the X2 ride.

    Left and center outlets, citing a CNN investigation, report at least two deaths allegedly connected to the ride. Right-leaning outlets instead report a single wrongful-death lawsuit, settled by Six Flags, involving a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022, without confirming a second death.

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    4 outlets

    Left headlines describe the ride and park as troubled or embattled, with some outlets (Guardian, NYT) using judgment-laden descriptors while others (TIME) state the closure and injury allegations plainly.

    X2, the Loaded modifier“Troubled”"Troubled" characterizes the ride's history with a judgment rather than stating the underlying facts of lawsuits and injury claims.More neutral: California Six Flags roller coaster facing lawsuitsDisagree with this highlight? California Six Flags Roller Coaster, Reaches Its End
    The New York TimesLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    1 outlet

    BBC's headline neutrally states the closure and the scale of allegations without embellishment.

    Six Flags shuts down X2 rollercoaster after hundreds allege brain injuries
    BBC NewsCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    4 outlets

    Right-leaning headlines range from neutral wire-style statements (Washington Times, Epoch Times/AP) to sensational framing emphasizing death and demolition (Daily Mail's "DEMOLISH" and "notorious," NY Post's "catastrophic").

    Six Flags will Sensational language“DEMOLISH”Capitalized dramatic verb overstates the announced closure, which involves retiring the ride rather than confirmed demolition plans.More neutral: closeDisagree with this highlight? Loaded modifier“notorious X2”"Notorious" prejudges the ride's reputation rather than neutrally describing the allegations against it.More neutral: X2Disagree with this highlight? rollercoaster after thrill ride was accused of killing one man and injuring multiple others
    Daily MailRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left2

    embattled X2 rollercoasterTroubled

  • Center0

    No loaded words in its own voice.

  • Right4

    catastrophic brain injuriesinfamous X2 roller coasterDEMOLISHnotorious X2

In the outlets’ own words

  • Sensational language

    catastrophic brain injuriesMore neutral: serious brain injuries

    "Catastrophic" adds dramatic weight beyond the reported facts of alleged brain injuries.

    Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently shuts down X2 after series of catastrophic brain injuries

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    embattled X2 rollercoasterMore neutral: the X2 rollercoaster, which faces lawsuits

    "Embattled" characterizes the ride's situation with a judgment rather than a neutral description of the litigation and closure.

    …which reaches up to 76mph Six Flags has permanently shut down its embattled X2 rollercoaster in Valencia, California, the company announced on Tuesday, as a groundswell…

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    infamous X2 roller coasterMore neutral: X2 roller coaster

    "Infamous" passes judgment on the ride's reputation rather than stating facts about the allegations.

    Six Flags Magic Mountain is demolishing its infamous X2 roller coaster after the thrill ride was accused of killing one man and leaving many others…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Sensational language

    DEMOLISHMore neutral: close

    Capitalized dramatic verb overstates the announced closure, which involves retiring the ride rather than confirmed demolition plans.

    Six Flags will DEMOLISH notorious X2 rollercoaster after thrill ride was accused of killing one man and…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

Show 2 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded modifier

    notorious X2More neutral: X2

    "Notorious" prejudges the ride's reputation rather than neutrally describing the allegations against it.

    Six Flags will DEMOLISH notorious X2 rollercoaster after thrill ride was accused of killing one man and injuring…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    TroubledMore neutral: California Six Flags roller coaster facing lawsuits

    "Troubled" characterizes the ride's history with a judgment rather than stating the underlying facts of lawsuits and injury claims.

    X2, the Troubled California Six Flags Roller Coaster, Reaches Its End

    Used byThe New York Times (Left)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

4 outlets

Leads with

  • CNN investigation findings
  • lawsuits and attorney statements
  • number of riders allegedly injured
  • deaths linked to the ride

Leaves out

  • Specific 2022 wrongful-death lawsuit settlement details reported by right-leaning outlets

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 4 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
  • The New York TimesLeft

    X2, the Loaded modifier“Troubled”"Troubled" characterizes the ride's history with a judgment rather than stating the underlying facts of lawsuits and injury claims.More neutral: California Six Flags roller coaster facing lawsuitsDisagree with this highlight? California Six Flags Roller Coaster, Reaches Its End

    The ride at Magic Mountain near Los Angeles has fueled lawsuits claiming that it had caused brain injuries, including two that were fatal.

    Read at The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
  • TIMELeft

    Six Flags Closes Its X2 Roller Coaster After Brain-Injury Lawsuits

    Six Flags Magic Mountain in California permanently closed the roller coaster after allegations of brain injuries.

    Read at TIME (opens in a new tab)
  • The GuardianLeft

    Six Flags permanently shuts down X2 rollercoaster after claims of brain injuries

    More than 100 people have said they were injured by the ride in California, which reaches up to 76mph Six Flags has permanently shut down its Loaded modifier“embattled X2 rollercoaster”"Embattled" characterizes the ride's situation with a judgment rather than a neutral description of the litigation and closure.More neutral: the X2 rollercoaster, which faces lawsuitsDisagree with this highlight? in Valencia, California, the company announced on Tuesday, as a groundswell of past riders have come forward …

    Read at The Guardian (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily BeastFar Left

    Six Flags Shuts Down Iconic Ride After Reports of Brain Injuries

    Six Flags announced Tuesday that it would shut down one of its most iconic rollercoasters after a report linked brain injuries and deaths to the ride. …

    Read at The Daily Beast (opens in a new tab)

From the center

1 outlet

Leads with

  • lawsuits and law firm statements
  • scope of alleged injuries
  • official company statement

Leaves out

  • Specific number of deaths or the 2022 wrongful-death settlement

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the headline from the centerHide the headlines
  • BBC NewsCenter

    Six Flags shuts down X2 rollercoaster after hundreds allege brain injuries

    The announcement comes after multiple lawsuits alleged that hundreds of riders suffered brain injuries from X2, a ride with seats that spin 360 degrees.

    Read at BBC News (opens in a new tab)

From the right

4 outlets

Leads with

  • wrongful-death lawsuit settlement
  • ride's 20-year operating history
  • specific victim details

Leaves out

  • CNN investigation's role in surfacing the allegations
  • the 100-plus reported injury claims

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 4 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • The Epoch TimesFar RightAssociated Press report

    Six Flags Magic Mountain Retires X2 Roller Coaster Amid Brain Injury Lawsuits

    Six Flags Magic Mountain said Tuesday that it is retiring its famous X2 roller coaster amid lawsuits alleging serious brain injury.

    Read at The Epoch Times (opens in a new tab)
  • Daily MailRight

    Six Flags will Sensational language“DEMOLISH”Capitalized dramatic verb overstates the announced closure, which involves retiring the ride rather than confirmed demolition plans.More neutral: closeDisagree with this highlight? Loaded modifier“notorious X2”"Notorious" prejudges the ride's reputation rather than neutrally describing the allegations against it.More neutral: X2Disagree with this highlight? rollercoaster after thrill ride was accused of killing one man and injuring multiple others

    The Southern California theme park said Tuesday that it is permanently shuttering the ride after nearly 20 years.

    Read at Daily Mail (opens in a new tab)
  • New York PostRight

    Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently shuts down X2 after series of Sensational language“catastrophic brain injuries”"Catastrophic" adds dramatic weight beyond the reported facts of alleged brain injuries.More neutral: serious brain injuriesDisagree with this highlight?

    Six Flags Magic Mountain in California announced that it would permanently close the X2 coaster after passengers suffered a string of serious injuries.

    Read at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
  • The Washington TimesRight

    Six Flags retires X2 coaster, closed since July, as riders allege brain injuries

    Six Flags Magic Mountain said it will permanently close X2, the rotating-seat roller coaster that has been shut since July 12 and is now the subject of lawsuits from riders alleging serious brain injuries.

    Read at The Washington Times (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    1 hr 53 min later

    Its first report, Sep 29, 1:40 PM EDT

  • Center

    6 hr 46 min later

    Its first report, Sep 29, 6:33 PM EDT

  • Right

    First to report

    The Washington Times, Sep 29, 11:47 AM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The Washington TimesRightSep 29, 11:47 AM EDT
  2. The Daily BeastFar LeftSep 29, 1:40 PM EDT
  3. New York PostRightSep 29, 3:12 PM EDT
  4. The GuardianLeftSep 29, 4:16 PM EDT
  5. Daily MailRightSep 29, 5:29 PM EDT
  6. TIMELeftSep 29, 5:39 PM EDT
  7. BBC NewsCenterSep 29, 6:33 PM EDT
  8. The New York TimesLeftSep 29, 6:54 PM EDT
  9. The Epoch TimesFar RightSep 29, 11:54 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

Read next

Help someone else find the truth beneath the surface

Most people see one side of a story. Share this one, so they can see how every side is telling it and decide for themselves.

Email it

Seen a mistake? Tell us what is wrong with this page