Family sues Six Flags over fatal X2 roller coaster injury of recent graduate
A California family has filed a lawsuit claiming the X2 coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain was defectively designed after their 22-year-old son died from head trauma while riding it.
A lawsuit filed by the Hawley family accuses Six Flags Magic Mountain of offering a defective X2 roller coaster that caused their son, Christopher Hawley, to suffer fatal head trauma. The 22-year-old, a recent San Diego State University graduate, rode the coaster in summer 2022, collapsed shortly afterward, and died the following day from injuries likened by a surgeon to shaken-baby syndrome. His brother Alex described the ride as violently jerking passengers before a sudden jolt that forced heads into the restraints.
The complaint also claims the park did not adequately warn the public about the ride’s risks. Six Flags said the X2 remains closed after a July 2026 incident that left another rider unconscious. A jury trial involving the park, the coaster’s manufacturer, and employees is scheduled for September 8. The Los Angeles County Fire Department and Medical Examiner have not responded to inquiries.
Why it matters
The case highlights safety concerns for extreme amusement rides and potential liability for theme park operators.
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