A Southern California roller coaster marketed as the ultimate thrill ride is now at the center of a growing legal battle after multiple riders suffered devastating brain injuries that plaintiffs say were caused by the attraction’s extreme forces.
Three lawsuits were filed this week against Six Flags and ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide over the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The law firm of attorney Gary Dordick alleges the ride is defectively designed and that the companies failed to warn passengers of serious neurological risks.
Pamela Guillen boarded the X2 on July 5 to celebrate her daughter’s 16th birthday. After the ride ended her daughter noticed her mother staring blankly with her mouth open before she collapsed. Guillen was rushed to the hospital where surgeons removed part of her skull to relieve massive brain bleeding. She spent a month hospitalized and two weeks in rehabilitation.
Just six days later Naomi Greer-Wilkinson rode the same coaster and also fell into a coma. Her parents say she remains bedridden with minimal consciousness and cannot breathe without assistance. “She can’t tell us if she’s in pain and as a father that’s extremely difficult” her father Josh Wilkinson said.
A third plaintiff Michael Wilk rode the X2 in February with his grandchildren. Weeks later an MRI revealed intracranial bleeding and swelling requiring emergency surgery. The attorney says he can no longer practice law due to permanent cognitive damage.
Dordick announced Tuesday that more than 100 additional riders have come forward reporting brain injuries after riding the X2 within the past two years alone. His firm plans to file further lawsuits on their behalf.
The lawsuits also reference the 2022 death of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley whose family says he died one day after riding the X2. The LA County Coroner ruled his death resulted from accidental blunt head trauma. Six Flags reached a confidential settlement with his family last month.
The X2 has been closed since July 12. Six Flags previously argued the ride meets ASTM amusement ride safety standards but plaintiffs’ attorneys contend those tests are outdated and not designed to measure the type of rotational and angular forces the X2 generates.
Six Flags declined to comment citing its policy against discussing pending litigation. Magic Mountain drew an estimated 3.3 million visitors in 2024 and ranks among the 20 most visited theme parks in North America.