More than 100 people have come forward alleging they suffered brain injuries after riding the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, as three new lawsuits accuse the amusement park and ride manufacturer of failing to adequately address safety concerns. Attorneys representing the riders announced the new lawsuits this week and said their firm has been contacted by more than 100 additional people who report suffering varying degrees of brain injuries after riding X2 during the past two years. The allegations have not been proven in court. The three lawsuits involve riders who say they experienced severe medical problems after riding the attraction. Their cases allege that the ride’s design can expose passengers to forces capable of causing serious injuries and that Six Flags should have taken additional measures to investigate reported incidents and warn riders.
One of the plaintiffs, Pamela Guillen, visited Six Flags Magic Mountain in July to celebrate her daughter’s 16th birthday. According to her lawsuit, she became confused and disoriented after riding X2 and later required emergency surgery for bleeding in her brain. She was reportedly hospitalized for several weeks. Another plaintiff, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, rode X2 several days after Guillen’s incident. Her family alleges that she suffered a severe brain injury after the ride and remains in critical condition. Her attorneys say she has required extensive medical care and remains unable to breathe independently.
The third lawsuit was filed by Michael Wilk, who says he experienced declining cognitive function after riding X2 earlier this year. According to the lawsuit, medical testing revealed intracranial bleeding and swelling, and he subsequently underwent brain surgery. His attorneys say he continues to experience headaches, confusion and memory problems and is no longer able to practise law. The attorneys representing the plaintiffs say more than 100 other people have contacted their firm during the past two months with allegations ranging from concussions and cognitive problems to more serious brain injuries. They said additional lawsuits could be filed in the coming weeks.
The X2 is one of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s most distinctive attractions. The roller coaster opened in 2002 and is known for its fourth-dimensional design, in which seats rotate independently while the train travels through drops, twists and other rapid movements. The ride reaches speeds of approximately 76 miles per hour and features a drop of about 215 feet. Its rotating seats are designed to move riders through multiple directions as the train travels along the track.
The attraction has previously faced scrutiny over injuries and incidents involving riders. Lawyers representing current plaintiffs have pointed to previous cases as evidence that concerns about the ride’s safety have existed for years. One previous case involved Christopher Hawley, a 22-year-old man whose family alleged that he died after riding X2 in 2022. The Los Angeles County coroner determined that his death resulted from accidental blunt head trauma. His family later reached a confidential settlement with Six Flags. The ride has also been associated with other lawsuits involving alleged injuries. Lawyers say those cases, along with more recent incidents, raise questions about whether existing safety standards adequately account for the unusual rotational and acceleration forces generated by X2.
Six Flags has previously defended the ride’s safety in court filings, arguing that X2 is regularly tested and complies with applicable industry standards. The company has also argued that the forces experienced by a normal rider using the attraction as instructed do not necessarily create a traumatic brain injury. Six Flags has declined to comment specifically on the latest lawsuits, citing its policy of not commenting on pending litigation. The company has confirmed that X2 remains closed, with the attraction having been shut down since July 12.
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which oversees amusement-ride operations in the state, has been involved in the inspection process. Officials have not publicly provided a detailed explanation of what prompted the current closure or when the ride could reopen.
The latest allegations have also raised broader questions about amusement-park safety and how regulators assess attractions that use unusual combinations of speed, acceleration and rotation.
The attorneys involved in the lawsuits argue that traditional safety testing may not fully account for the specific forces generated by a fourth-dimensional roller coaster such as X2. Six Flags, however, has maintained that the ride has been tested and operated according to established safety requirements.
The allegations involving the more than 100 additional riders have not been independently verified, and it remains unclear how many of those claims will ultimately result in lawsuits or be substantiated through medical and legal proceedings. For now, X2 remains closed while scrutiny of the attraction continues. The three newly filed lawsuits and the additional claims could lead to further legal proceedings and potentially renewed examination of the ride’s design, operating procedures and safety standards.