Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently shuts X2 coaster after brain injury incidents

The park cited guest confidence and safety concerns after two riders suffered brain hemorrhages in July.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 29 Sep 2026 22:08:30 GMT

Six Flags Magic Mountain said on Tuesday that its X2 roller coaster will be closed permanently, citing recent brain injury claims and a broader safety record.

What happened

The X2 ride, originally opened as X in 2002 and refurbished as X2 in 2008, was shut down temporarily on July 12 after two riders suffered similar brain hemorrhages six days apart. The park kept the coaster closed and on September 29 announced the decision to retire it permanently.

What the reports add

The Los Angeles Times noted the closure follows a “history of injuries, including some that led to deaths,” and referenced a fatal incident in 2022.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that since its 2008 reopening the coaster has welcomed more than 16 million guests and was once voted “Coaster of the Year” when it first opened in 2002.
A CNN investigation cited by the Hollywood Reporter described the two July victims as women who lost consciousness and required surgery for brain hemorrhages typically associated with high‑speed collisions.
Three neurosurgeons who treated the women said in an email that the injuries resulted from a “traumatic rapid acceleration‑deceleration event” on the ride.
A parent of an injured rider told CNN the decision‑maker “has a lot to answer for” and demanded, “It’s got to stop.”
Since the CNN story, ABC 7 reported three lawsuits were filed, and Six Flags’ own coverage noted over 100 additional people have come forward with injury claims.

What was said

“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,”

— Brian Oerding, president of Six Flags Magic Mountain, statement cited by both outlets.

“After almost 20 years, we have decided to permanently retire X2,”

— Brian Oerding, statement to the Hollywood Reporter.

“The severe brain injuries requiring emergent neurosurgical attention were the result of a traumatic rapid acceleration‑deceleration event experienced while on the X2 ride.”

— three neurosurgeons, email to CNN, reported by the Hollywood Reporter.

“Whoever decided to keep X2 open after the first July injury case has a lot to answer for. It’s got to stop.”

— parent of an injured rider, quoted to CNN via the Hollywood Reporter.

How it came about

The closure follows a series of legal actions documented in Felo’s September 23 coverage, which noted three lawsuits alleging catastrophic brain injuries and referenced a fatal incident in 2022. The park’s earlier temporary shutdown in July was triggered by the two brain hemorrhage cases, prompting a review that led to the permanent retirement decision.

Key facts

Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently closed the X2 coaster (latimes.com)
The ride was first shut down temporarily on July 12 after two riders suffered brain hemorrhages (hollywoodreporter.com)
X2 opened as X in 2002 and was refurbished as X2 in 2008 (latimes.com)
More than 16 million guests rode X2 since its 2008 reopening (hollywoodreporter.com)
Park president Brian Oerding cited safety tests and guest confidence as reasons for the closure (latimes.com)