Wave of Lawsuits Targets Six Flags X2 Coaster Over Alleged Brain Injuries
Three new lawsuits have been filed against Six Flags, alleging that the X2 roller coaster at Magic Mountain caused severe brain injuries to over 100 riders in the past two years. The legal action follows a recent CNN investigation that linked the ride to multiple hospitalizations and deaths. Plaintiffs, including two women who underwent emergency brain surgery in July, claim the park ignored known safety risks. Six Flags has kept the ride closed since July 12 but declined to comment on the new claims, while attorneys expect more suits to follow.
Key points
- Attorneys filed three lawsuits on Monday, representing over 100 clients who claim brain injuries from riding X2 in the last two years.
- Plaintiffs include Pamela Guillen and Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, both of whom underwent emergency brain surgery after riding the coaster six days apart in July.
- Michael Wilk, a Los Angeles attorney, filed a separate suit claiming he suffered massive brain bleeding and is now disabled from practicing law.
- Six Flags closed X2 on July 12, 2026, and has not commented on the new allegations or the specific reasons for the closure.
- The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is conducting an ongoing inspection of the ride but did not respond to requests for comment.
Background
This legal escalation follows a CNN investigation in August 2026 that documented over a dozen serious injuries and at least two deaths linked to the X2 ride over the past decade. The ride, which features rotating seats and speeds near 80 mph, had been the subject of prior lawsuits and settlements, including a wrongful death case involving Christopher Hawley in 2022. The current wave of litigation marks a significant increase in the number of plaintiffs alleging traumatic brain injuries.
How outlets are covering it
CNN and CBS News emphasize the severity of the injuries, highlighting that Naomi Greer-Wilkinson remains in a coma and Pamela Guillen required extensive rehabilitation. Attorneys for the plaintiffs, including Christopher Bulone and Gary Dordick, argue that Six Flags 'willingly gambled with people’s lives' and ignored warnings about the ride's dangers. In contrast, Six Flags maintains that the ride is regularly tested and that riders assume inherent risks, as stated in their warning signs. ABC7 Los Angeles notes that the lawsuits allege design problems dating back to the ride's opening in 2002, while the Yahoo source provided no substantive news content, only technical code.
Why it matters
The filing of over 100 lawsuits signals a potential shift from isolated incidents to a systemic safety crisis at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The legal claims could lead to significant financial liability for the company and may prompt stricter regulatory oversight of amusement park rides in California. The ongoing closure of X2, a marquee attraction, also impacts the park's revenue and reputation.
What to watch
Attorneys expect to file additional lawsuits in the coming weeks as more riders come forward. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health will continue its inspection of the X2 ride, though it has not yet announced findings or a decision on whether the ride will reopen. Six Flags has not indicated when or if the ride will return to operation.
- More than 100 riders allege brain injuries from Six Flags’ X2 roller coaster, attorneys say CNN
- New lawsuits allege X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain caused major brain injuries ABC7 Los Angeles
- Lawsuits allege brain damage from roller coaster Yahoo
- Lawsuits filed alleging catastrophic brain injuries from X2 rollercoaster KTLA
- Six Flags' X2 roller coaster left riders with brain injuries, lawsuits allege CBS News
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