A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Six Flags Magic Mountain by the family of a 22-year-old man who suffered fatal head trauma while riding the park’s X2 roller coaster in the summer of 2022. The family alleges that a defective ride design led to the tragic incident that claimed the life of Christopher Hawley, a recent graduate of San Diego State University.
Tragic Incident on the X2 Coaster
Christopher Hawley was visiting the popular Los Angeles County theme park with his family when he experienced the X2 attraction. Shortly after disembarking, he reportedly collapsed and passed away the following day. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled his death an accident caused by blunt-force head trauma sustained on the ride. His family described the X2 experience as exceptionally rough.
His younger brother, Alex, recounted the ride’s intense nature, explaining how it violently tossed passengers before concluding with a forceful jolt. “It was very rough. It just jerked us. It just jerked us all around,” Alex stated. “It just jolted us all the way forward and then our heads just swung all the way back into the headrest.”
Following the ride, Christopher appeared visibly unwell, with his face turning noticeably red before he suddenly collapsed. Emergency services transported him to a local hospital, but he could not be saved.
Allegations of Defective Design and Inadequate Warnings
The lawsuit, filed by Christopher’s family, contends that the X2 roller coaster’s design is inherently flawed and failed to adequately warn patrons about its inherent risks. According to the family’s account, a surgeon who examined Christopher’s injuries likened them to those seen in shaken baby syndrome, a condition resulting from severe, sudden forces that cause rapid brain movement within the skull, potentially leading to swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
Christopher’s father, William, shared the surgeon’s assessment: “The surgeon had said, he likened it to shaken baby syndrome, that the ride hit his head so hard that it had basically ruptured his brain.”
The X2 roller coaster is known for its extreme thrill elements, including seats that rotate a full 360 degrees, positioning it as one of the park’s most intense attractions.
Previous Incident and Ride Closure
The X2 coaster has been the subject of other incidents. On July 5, 2026, a rider was discovered unconscious on the attraction, leading to its closure for over a month. Six Flags confirmed that the ride has remained closed since the evening of July 12th, following the 2026 incident.
While Six Flags has declined to comment directly on the ongoing litigation, the park stated that the ride’s closure is in effect. The Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner have not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Legal Proceedings Underway
A jury trial is reportedly scheduled to commence on September 8th, involving Six Flags, the manufacturer of the X2 roller coaster, and park employees. The legal action seeks to hold the involved parties accountable for Christopher Hawley’s death, citing alleged negligence in the ride’s design, operation, and the failure to provide sufficient warnings about its potential dangers.
The family’s lawsuit aims to address the profound loss they have experienced and seeks justice for what they describe as a preventable tragedy stemming from a ride that they believe was unsafe for its intended use.
