US News
Family sues Six Flags Magic Mountain over 2022 fatal roller coaster injury
A lawsuit alleges defective design and inadequate warnings on the X2 attraction after a 22-year-old rider died of blunt-force head trauma.
The short version
- The family of Christopher Hawley has sued Six Flags Magic Mountain, ride manufacturers, and park staff following his 2022 death after riding the X2 roller coaster.
- Hawley collapsed after the ride and died the following day, with his death ruled an accident caused by blunt-force head trauma.
- The X2 attraction remains closed following a separate July 2026 incident involving an unconscious passenger, with a jury trial for the lawsuit scheduled for September 8.
Key facts
- Christopher Hawley, 22, collapsed after riding the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in summer 2022 and died the next day from accidental blunt-force head trauma.[Fox News]
- Hawley's family filed a lawsuit alleging defective ride design and failure to adequately warn guests about the ride's hazards, naming Six Flags, the ride manufacturer, and park employees as defendants.[Fox News]
- Hawley's father stated that a treating surgeon compared the fatal brain injuries to shaken baby syndrome.[Fox News]
- The X2 ride has been closed since July 12, 2026, after a separate incident in which another rider was found unconscious.[Fox News]
- A jury trial in the lawsuit is scheduled to begin on September 8.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Six Flags declined to comment directly on the specific allegations in the litigation.[Fox News]