A California family has initiated legal action against Six Flags Magic Mountain, attributing the death of their 22-year-old son to a defective design of the park’s X2 roller coaster. Christopher Hawley, a recent San Diego State University graduate, reportedly suffered fatal head trauma after riding the attraction in summer 2022.
Hawley was visiting the Los Angeles County theme park with relatives when the incident occurred. According to reports, he collapsed shortly after disembarking from the X2 roller coaster and tragically passed away the following day.
Separately, the X2 roller coaster was reportedly involved in another incident on July 5, 2026, when a rider was found unconscious. This led to the attraction’s closure for over a month.
Family Describes Ride's Intensity and Aftermath
Christopher’s death was officially determined to be an accident resulting from blunt-force head trauma sustained on the attraction, which his family characterized as exceptionally rough.
His younger brother, Alex, recounted the experience, describing the ride as intensely violent and noting how it forcefully jerked passengers around before concluding with a jolt that propelled their heads into the headrests.
"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."
Immediately after stepping off the attraction, Christopher reportedly appeared noticeably unwell, with his face turning very red before he suddenly collapsed. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Severe Head Trauma Allegations and Lawsuit Details
The family shared that a surgeon compared Hawley’s injuries to shaken baby syndrome. This condition involves violent and sudden forces causing the brain to move rapidly within the skull, potentially leading to swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
"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," Christopher's father, William, stated.
The lawsuit also claims that the defendants, which include Six Flags, the manufacturer of the X2 roller coaster, and park employees, failed to adequately warn the public about the ride's inherent risks.
The X2 is marketed as one of the theme park's most intense attractions, featuring seats that rotate 360 degrees.
Ride Status and Upcoming Trial
Amusement park representatives have stated that the X2 ride remains closed following the reported July 2026 incident involving the unconscious rider. "The ride remains closed at this time. It has been closed since the evening of July 12th," Six Flags confirmed.
A jury trial involving Six Flags, the X2 roller coaster manufacturer, and park employees is scheduled to commence on September 8.