Full Breakdown
X2 Roller Coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain Faces Wave of Brain-Injury Lawsuits
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Surge of Lawsuits Over Alleged Traumatic Brain Injuries
In the past two years, more than 100 riders have reported traumatic brain injuries after riding X2, the 4th-dimension coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. On September 22, 2026, civil attorney Christopher Bulone announced three new lawsuits on behalf of Pamela Guillen, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson and Michael Wilk, and indicated more suits are expected. The ride was shut down on July 12 pending investigation.
Background & Context
X2 opened in 2002 as a “fourth-dimensional” wing coaster whose seats rotate 360° while the train reaches roughly 80 mph for about two minutes. A CNN investigation in August linked X2 to more than a dozen severe injuries and two fatalities over two decades, including the 2022 death of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley. The park kept the coaster operating until the July 12 closure.
Data & Statistics
- Plaintiffs’ claims: >100 individuals allege brain injuries since mid-2024.
- Severe cases in the new suits:
- Pamela Guillen (40) – lost consciousness in July, required emergency brain surgery and a two-week coma.
- Naomi Greer-Wilkinson (25) – fell unconscious after exiting the ride a week later, remains in a coma.
- Michael Wilk (68) – suffered massive intracranial bleeding after riding in February; a June 4 MRI showed swelling and a midline shift, leading to multiple craniotomies.
- Deaths alleged: Christopher Hawley (2022) and a second fatality reported in late 2025.
- Ride specifications: 200-foot height, 3,600-foot track, seats rotate 360°, top speed reported between 76 mph and 80 mph.
Official Statements & Responses
- Regulatory agency: Cal/OSHA declined comment, noting an inspection is ongoing.
- Defense counsel: Six Flags attorneys argue the injuries are unrelated to the ride’s design and that plaintiffs rely on anecdotal reports rather than conclusive medical evidence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was confused and disoriented, and I remember seeing the fear in my daughter's eyes and how scared she was,” — Pamela Guillen
- “It becomes particularly dangerous when the head is moving in one direction and the seat is moving towards it,” — Christopher Bulone
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Verification: CNN could not independently verify every claim, noting many alleged victims have not sought medical treatment or are barred by statutes of limitations.
- Injury causation: Plaintiffs cite surgeon-determined “traumatic rapid acceleration-deceleration events,” while Six Flags maintains the coaster’s forces are within safe design parameters.
- Statistical uncertainty: Sources differ on the total number of reported injuries—some cite “more than 100,” others reference “hundreds” of additional riders who could not file suits. No official tally from Cal/OSHA has been released.
What’s Next
- A press conference is scheduled for September 22, 2026, where plaintiffs’ attorneys will outline their legal strategy and request safety reforms.
- Trials involving a Yucaipa couple (2027) and a 2020 brain-injury claim (October 2027) will examine alleged design flaws and Six Flags’ safety protocols.