A California family has filed a lawsuit against Six Flags Magic Mountain, alleging that a defective ride design on the X2 roller coaster contributed to the 2022 death of Christopher Hawley, a 22-year-old San Diego State University graduate.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court complaint follows a 2022 incident in which Hawley reportedly collapsed shortly after riding the X2, suffering fatal head trauma. His death was ruled an accident by medical examiners, with the cause attributed to blunt-force head trauma sustained during the ride.
Six Flags Magic Mountain has not publicly commented on the lawsuit as of publication. The theme park’s X2 roller coaster was temporarily closed in July 2026 after another rider was found unconscious, though the park has not confirmed a direct link between the incidents.
Incident Details and Legal Action
On a summer day in 2022, Christopher Hawley visited Six Flags Magic Mountain with his family. Shortly after riding the X2 roller coaster, he reportedly appeared unwell, with his face turning red before collapsing. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he died the following day.
Hawley’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Six Flags, alleging that the X2’s design subjected riders to excessive and dangerous forces. His younger brother, Alex Hawley, described the ride as violently jerky, stating that it caused passengers’ heads to snap forward and backward into the headrests.
"It was very rough. It just jerked us all around," Alex told local media. "It just jolted us all the way forward and then our heads just swung all the way back into the headrest."
The lawsuit claims that a surgeon compared Hawley’s injuries to shaken baby syndrome, suggesting that the sudden and violent forces of the ride caused brain movement within the skull, leading to swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
Official Findings and Ride History
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office ruled Hawley’s death an accident, attributing it to blunt-force head trauma. The X2 roller coaster was involved in a separate incident in July 2026, when a rider was found unconscious mid-ride, prompting a more than one-month closure for inspections.
Six Flags has not released a statement regarding the 2022 incident or the 2026 closure, and the company has not responded to requests for comment on the ongoing lawsuit. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has not publicly disclosed any investigations into the ride’s safety.
Broader Context: Theme Park Safety and Litigation
Roller coaster incidents, while rare, have led to increased scrutiny of amusement park safety protocols. The X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain has been a long-standing attraction, known for its inverted loops and steep drops. However, the 2022 and 2026 incidents have raised questions about whether ride design flaws may contribute to rider injuries.
The Hawley family’s lawsuit joins a growing number of legal challenges against theme parks, with plaintiffs arguing that inadequate safety measures and poorly designed rides pose unnecessary risks to visitors. Industry advocates counter that roller coasters undergo rigorous testing and that most incidents result from rider error or pre-existing medical conditions.
What’s Next?
The lawsuit remains pending in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Six Flags has not indicated whether it will settle or contest the claims. The 2026 incident involving the X2’s temporary closure suggests that regulatory reviews may be underway, though no official reports have been released.
Hawley’s family has not commented beyond their legal filings, and Six Flags has not provided additional details about the ride’s maintenance or safety records.