A California family has filed a lawsuit against Six Flags Magic Mountain, accusing the theme park of defective ride design following the death of their 22-year-old son during a visit in summer 2022, according to Fox 11 Los Angeles.
Christopher Hawley, a San Diego State University graduate, collapsed shortly after riding the X2 roller coaster and died the next day. His family described the ride as exceptionally rough, and a surgeon reportedly compared Hawley’s injuries to shaken baby syndrome, indicating severe head trauma caused by the ride’s forces, Fox 11 reported.
Hawley’s younger brother, Alex, said the ride was intensely violent, causing passengers to jerk violently and slam their heads against the headrests. “It was very rough. It just jerked us all around,” he told the station. Hawley appeared unwell after exiting the ride, with his face turning red before collapsing. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he died the following day.
In a separate incident, the X2 coaster was involved in a July 2026 event when a rider was found unconscious, leading to the ride’s closure for more than a month, KTLA reported. Six Flags has not commented on the lawsuit but stated that the ride remains closed following that incident.
The lawsuit alleges that the park and the ride’s manufacturer failed to adequately warn the public about the risks. A jury trial involving Six Flags, the manufacturer, and park employees is scheduled for September 8, according to reports.
Representatives from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The park has not provided further details about the incidents or the ongoing litigation.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
