Six Flags Shuts X2

What happened

Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently shut down X2 after allegations that the roller coaster caused brain injuries and at least one death. X2 had been closed since July 12, after two women who rode it days apart were hospitalized with brain injuries. The move followed renewed scrutiny from CNN’s investigation and lawsuits over long-running injury claims, including a wrongful-death settlement involving a 22-year-old man who died after riding in 2022. Park president Brian Oerding said closing X2 was “the right thing to do” because guest confidence had been affected. Six Flags said the ride had consistently passed safety tests. Lawyers said more than 100 people have come forward. What replaces X2, if anything, is unclear.

How each side covered it

From the left

Left-leaning accounts cast the closure as the result of a long-hidden safety scandal, not just a business decision. CNN framed the decision as exposing years of injuries and deaths linked to X2. The Guardian centered lawyers Gary Dordick and Christopher Bulone, who called X2 “defective” and faulted warnings. CNN also included Brian Oerding’s rationale that closing was “the right thing” despite passed tests.

From the right

Only one right-leaning outlet we track covered this: New York Post, under the headline “Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently shuts down X2 after series of catastrophic brain injuries”.

Headlines

Six Flags Shuts X2

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What happened

How each side covered it

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