Full Breakdown
X2 Roller Coaster Closed After Two Riders Suffer Severe Brain Injuries
8/30/2026, 2:28:07 AM
Incident Overview
On July 5, 2026, Pamela Guillen, a 40-year-old visitor from Hawaii, rode the X2 coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. While the seats rotated, she struck her head against the headrest, lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital where surgeons diagnosed an acute subdural hematoma with brain compression. A few days later, 25-year-old Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, a Los Angeles resident, suffered a similar loss of consciousness on the same ride and required emergency brain surgery. Six Flags announced that X2 would remain closed beginning July 12, 2026.
Background & Context
X2, a “four-dimensional” coaster that opened in 2002, propels riders through a 200-foot drop at speeds up to 76 mph while the seats spin 360 degrees. Over nearly two decades the ride has been linked to more than a dozen serious injuries and two fatalities: Christopher Hawley, 22, who died after a ride on June 23, 2022, and Hilda Farias, 28, who died in 2010. Internal Six Flags records show at least 70 head-or-neck injury complaints between 2019 and 2022.
Timeline
- July 5, 2026 – Guillen injured on X2; hospitalized with subdural hematoma.
- July 12, 2026 – Six Flags announces X2 remains closed.
- June 23, 2022 – Hawley collapses after riding X2; dies the following day.
- 2010 – Hilda Farias dies after riding X2.
Data & Statistics
- Injuries reported over 20 years: >12 serious cases, including two deaths.
- Head-or-neck complaints filed 2019-2022: >=70.
- Ride specifications: 200-foot drop, top speed 76 mph, two “Raven turns,” seats rotating independently.
Official Statements & Responses
Six Flags says X2 meets industry safety regulations and notes signage warning riders of “inherent risks.” The coaster undergoes daily inspections. In court filings the company argued that a “normal” rider using the ride “as instructed” would not experience a traumatic brain injury. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) confirmed it is investigating the incidents but has not released further details.
Criticism & Opposition
Attorney Christopher Bulone, representing the families, said the ride’s forces exceed what a typical rider can safely endure and that “It’s greed that keeps this thing going.”
Verbatim Quote
- “It was seconds. You go in as yourself, and then when you come back, you're a medical emergency.” — Pamela Guillen, Hawaii resident
Why It Matters
The closure of a flagship attraction at a park that draws >3 million visitors annually raises questions about amusement-ride safety oversight, rider warnings, and the legal responsibilities of park operators when severe injuries occur.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of serious injuries linked to X2; some cite “more than a dozen” hospitalizations, others reference “dozens.” Cal/OSHA has not disclosed specific findings, leaving the precise cause of the recent injuries unconfirmed.
What’s Next
Cal/OSHA continues its investigation. Six Flags has not announced a timeline for reopening X2; the ride will remain closed until further notice. Litigation involving the injured riders’ families is ongoing, with settlement terms undisclosed.
