A family is suing, alleging their 22-year-old son suffered a fatal brain injury while riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
On June 23, 2022, Christopher Hawley, who had recently graduated from San Diego State University, went to the theme park with his younger brother and cousin, according to a 2024 complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and obtained by PEOPLE.
That day, all three rode the X2 roller coaster, which was described in the lawsuit as an “extremely rough” ride that “jerked its riders around like rag dolls.”
According to Magic Mountain’s website, the X2 boasts “360-degree rotating seats and head-first, face down drops,” adding that passengers on the ride up can take in the view “200 feet in the air.”
Christopher Hawley with his family.
The Hawley Family
Christopher was in a row by himself, while the other boys sat together behind him, according to the complaint.
Upon exiting the ride, Christoper had to hold onto the handrail for support and later said that his head hurt, alleged the complaint. Then he knelt down, slumped onto his side and lost consciousness.
After being taken to a Six Flags medical tent he was rushed to the hospital, according to the complaint. The following day, Christopher, who was described as being in excellent health before he visited Six Flags Magic Mountain, died.
The lawsuit alleged that according to the coroner’s report, Hawley sustained an injury to his brain, and his death was a result of “head trauma” from a “park ride accident.”
Magic Mountain, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and a number of individuals were named as defendants in the complaint, which alleged design defect, failure to warn and negligence.
We contacted Six Flags Magic Mountain for comment on Wednesday, March 19. According to the Los Angeles Times, the company denied the claims in the lawsuit.
Christopher’s family, who hail from Grove, Calif., alleged in the complaint that the defendants knew about numerous prior injuries caused by operating the X2 that included, among other things, “severe back, spine, neck, and head injuries, as well as traumatic brain injuries.”
The family also alleged in their complaint that the safety warnings at Magic Mountain are outdated and do not adequately warn park visitors and ride passengers of the potential risks of riding the coaster.
“We want to make sure that that ride isn’t going to kill somebody else,” William Hawley told the O.C. Registrar.
