Six Flags Faces Lawsuit After Deadly Roller Coaster Accident Claims Son’s Life
It’s Time for This Attraction to Close Down
A Six Flags tragedy? The rush of adrenaline, the heart-pounding anticipation, the breathtaking drops—rollercoasters are designed to thrill. But for one California family, what was meant to be an exhilarating day at Six Flags Magic Mountain turned into an unimaginable nightmare—one that ended in tragedy.
A Thrilling Ride Turns Tragic: Family Demands Answers After Son’s Fatal Injury at Six Flags
Christopher Hawley, a 22-year-old recent college graduate, climbed aboard the park’s famous X2 rollercoaster on June 23, 2022, expecting the high-speed twists and stomach-churning turns that made the ride a fan favorite. But just moments after the ride came to a stop, Christopher’s family knew something was horribly wrong. Why did this routine rollercoaster ride result in a catastrophic injury—and more importantly, could it have been prevented?
Christopher visited Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, that day with his younger brother, Alex, and their cousin. As they boarded X2, Christopher sat alone in his row while his brother and cousin sat together directly behind him. The ride itself is notorious for its intense experience—featuring rotating seats, a 215-foot drop, and speeds reaching up to 76 mph. It’s designed to push thrill-seekers to their limits.
But what was meant to be an exhilarating ride quickly turned into a horror story. According to a lawsuit filed by the Hawley family, as the ride neared its conclusion, it came to an abrupt and violent halt, violently jolting Christopher and other passengers in their seats. News outlets like the Los Angeles Times, ABC7 Los Angeles, and more have already reported on this tragic incident.
A Family’s Fight for Answers
As he exited, Christopher clung to the railing for stability, his gait unsteady. When his brother and cousin reached him, he could only mumble that his head hurt before he collapsed, losing consciousness. His family later learned he had suffered a catastrophic right subdural hematoma—a severe brain bleed.
Christopher was rushed to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where doctors confirmed the devastating injury. Just a day later, on June 24, he was gone.
Christopher’s parents, Anne and William Hawley, describe him as a healthy young man with a bright future ahead. Their grief has been compounded by the frustration of seeking answers from Six Flags Magic Mountain, which they claim has remained uncooperative.
A Pattern of Safety Concerns?
“We want to make sure that that ride isn’t going to kill somebody else,” William Hawley stated in a press conference. “They won’t explain to us what happened. They’ve essentially gone dark. The only way we’ve been able to contact them is through our attorney.”
Despite multiple inquiries, the theme park has refused to comment on the ongoing lawsuit, citing pending litigation. This lack of transparency has only fueled the family’s determination to uncover the truth about what happened to their son that day.
The lawsuit filed by the Hawleys alleges that Six Flags Magic Mountain was negligent in operating X2, citing a design defect and a failure to warn riders of potential dangers. But Christopher’s case isn’t the first reported incident linked to the rollercoaster.
Will X2 Shut Down Finally?
According to the family’s attorney, Ari Friedman of Los Angeles-based Wisner Baum, X2 has been associated with several prior injuries.
“This is not the first time someone has sustained a serious injury as a result of riding X2,” Friedman explained. “There have been previous cases of whiplash, head trauma, and leg injuries due to the ride’s sudden jolts and shuddering.”
A similar lawsuit was filed against Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2021 by a woman who claimed that a ride on X2 caused significant trauma to her nervous system. At the time, Six Flags argued that expert testing disproved her claim, and a judge later removed Magic Mountain as a defendant in the case.
What’s Next for This Six Flags Park?
The Hawley family’s lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages, depending on the findings of the ride’s inspection and further investigation. A trial date has been set for October 13, and as the case unfolds, it could have broader implications for theme park safety regulations and the accountability of amusement parks for ride-related injuries.
This tragedy raises urgent questions: How safe are extreme thrill rides like X2? Are parks doing enough to prevent accidents, or are guests unknowingly taking on risks they aren’t fully informed about? And most importantly, what steps need to be taken to ensure that no other family experiences the same devastating loss?
For now, Christopher’s family continues to fight for answers, not just for their own peace of mind but to ensure that no other park guests face the same fate. Until Six Flags Magic Mountain provides clarity on what happened, the haunting uncertainty remains: Could this happen again?
