A California family has filed a lawsuit against Six Flags Magic Mountain, alleging that a defective ride design contributed to the 2022 death of their 22-year-old son. Christopher Hawley, a San Diego State University graduate, reportedly collapsed after riding the X2 roller coaster and died at a hospital the following day. His death was ruled an accident caused by blunt-force head trauma, according to reports. A separate incident involving an unconscious rider in July 2026 led the park to close the attraction, which remained shut when the lawsuit was reported.
The lawsuit names Six Flags, the manufacturer of the X2 attraction and park employees as defendants. It alleges that the defendants failed to adequately warn guests about the ride’s risks and that the attraction’s design was defective. A jury trial was scheduled to begin September 8, according to reports.
| 1) | The 2022 incident and reported death |
| 2) | Family account of the ride’s effects |
| 3) | Claims against the park and ride maker |
| 4) | The separate 2026 X2 closure |
| 5) | Upcoming trial and unresolved questions |
The 2022 incident and reported death
The incident occurred during the summer of 2022 at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles County. Christopher Hawley, who was 22 and had recently graduated from San Diego State University, visited the park with his family. After riding X2, he reportedly appeared unwell, became noticeably red in the face and collapsed shortly after leaving the attraction.
Emergency responders took Hawley to a nearby hospital, where he died the next day. The medical examiner reportedly ruled the death an accident resulting from blunt-force head trauma sustained during the ride. The legal case will examine the circumstances of the ride, the injuries and the park’s responsibilities.
Family account of the ride’s effects
Hawley’s family described X2 as exceptionally rough and said the ride’s movements caused severe impacts to passengers’ heads. His younger brother, Alex Hawley, said the attraction jerked riders repeatedly before a final movement pushed their heads into the restraints.
“It was very rough. It just jerked us. It just jerked us all around. It just jolted us all the way forward and then our heads just swung all the way back into the end to the head,” Alex said.
The family also said a surgeon compared the injuries to shaken baby syndrome, a description referring to severe movement of the brain inside the skull. That account is part of the family’s allegations and will be considered alongside medical evidence and other testimony in the litigation.
Claims against the park and ride maker
The lawsuit accuses Six Flags, the X2 manufacturer and park employees of responsibility for Hawley’s death. The family alleges that the ride’s design was defective and that guests were not adequately warned about the potential dangers of its intense movements.
X2 is promoted as one of the park’s most intense attractions. Its seats rotate 360 degrees, adding movement beyond the coaster’s track. The lawsuit’s claims have not been resolved, and the defendants will have the opportunity to respond through the court process.
William Hawley, Christopher’s father, said the surgeon believed the ride’s force had caused catastrophic brain damage.
“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,” William said.
The separate 2026 X2 closure
X2 was involved in a separate incident on July 5, 2026, when a rider was found unconscious. The attraction was later closed and had remained unavailable for more than a month when the litigation was reported.
Six Flags said the ride had been closed since the evening of July 12. The park did not directly comment on the lawsuit, but its statement confirmed that the attraction was still closed following the 2026 incident. The later event is separate from Hawley’s 2022 death and does not by itself establish the allegations in the family’s case.
Upcoming trial and unresolved questions
A jury trial involving Six Flags, the ride manufacturer and park employees was scheduled to start September 8. The proceedings are expected to address whether the attraction’s design or operation contributed to Hawley’s injuries, whether warnings were sufficient and whether any party breached a legal duty to riders.
The case remains unresolved. The reported medical findings, family testimony, ride specifications, operating records and evidence about warnings are likely to be central to the court’s assessment. No final finding of liability had been reported when the lawsuit was announced.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Hawley reportedly died after suffering blunt-force head trauma following a 2022 ride on X2. |
| 2 | His family alleges defective design and inadequate warnings. |
| 3 | The X2 attraction remained closed after a separate July 2026 incident involving an unconscious rider. |
| 4 | A jury trial was scheduled for September 8. |
Summary
The lawsuit places the design, operation and safety warnings of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 coaster under scrutiny after the reported death of Christopher Hawley. The park has not directly commented on the litigation, while the ride remains closed after a separate 2026 incident. The court, rather than the allegations alone, will determine whether the defendants are legally responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Christopher Hawley?
Hawley reportedly collapsed after riding the X2 roller coaster in 2022 and died at a hospital the following day. His death was ruled an accident caused by blunt-force head trauma.
What does the lawsuit allege?
The lawsuit alleges that the ride had a defective design and that Six Flags, the manufacturer and park employees failed to provide adequate warnings about its risks.
Why was X2 closed in 2026?
The ride was closed after a rider was found unconscious during a separate incident on July 5, 2026. Six Flags said it had been closed since the evening of July 12.
