Six Flags Magic Mountain sued over fatal X2 roller coaster incident

The family of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Six Flags Magic Mountain, alleging that a defective design on the X2 roller coaster caused his fatal injuries.

In June 2022, Hawley visited the Valencia, California, theme park and reportedly appeared unwell immediately after riding the attraction. According to the lawsuit, he complained of head pain and collapsed shortly after exiting the ride. He died the following day. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the death an accident caused by blunt head trauma sustained during a “park ride accident.”

The lawsuit alleges the ride was extremely rough, claiming passengers were jerked around before the coaster “suddenly, abruptly, and violently” jolted to a stop, causing riders' heads to slam into the headrests. Medical imaging revealed a catastrophic subdural hematoma. Hawley’s family noted that a treating surgeon compared the internal brain damage to injuries typically associated with extreme shaking. Six Flags and other defendants have denied liability.