The Dark Side of Thrills: Over 100 Riders Allege Brain Injuries from Six Flags X2 Coaster

For years, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Southern California, has beckoned thrill-seekers with its formidable X2 roller coaster. Touted as a cutting-edge '4th dimension' ride, it promised unparalleled excitement. Yet, for an alarming number of riders, that excitement has allegedly spiraled into a living nightmare, marked by severe and debilitating brain injuries.

A recent CNN investigation has peeled back the curtain on a deeply troubling situation: more than 100 riders have now stepped forward, claiming they suffered significant brain injuries after riding the X2 in just the last two years. While these latest allegations are startling, the whispers of rider injuries, it turns out, stretch back well over a decade, painting a concerning pattern of potential harm.

The legal landscape is heating up fast. In the week leading up to September 23, 2026, three separate lawsuits were officially filed against Six Flags. Civil attorney Christopher Bulone, representing a substantial portion of these new clients, announced the legal action, indicating a significant legal battle ahead. And he's not alone; attorneys like Gary Dordick are also representing over a hundred new clients, all with similar, harrowing stories. It truly makes you wonder, doesn't it, what exactly is happening on that coaster?

Some of these personal accounts are utterly heartbreaking. Take Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, a young woman of 26. In July, after riding X2, she fell unconscious, needing emergency brain surgery for a severe traumatic brain injury. Today, she remains in a coma, her future uncertain. Pamela Guillen, 40, experienced a similar horror that same month. She, too, fell unconscious after her ride, requiring emergency surgery. Pamela's journey since has been arduous, battling persistent headaches, a fog in her brain that just won't lift, and requiring seizure medication. She's had to painstakingly re-learn the basics, like talking and walking. One can only imagine the sheer terror and frustration of such a reversal.

The list of those allegedly affected doesn't stop there. Los Angeles attorney Michael Wilk alleges he suffered massive brain bleeding in February after his X2 ride, necessitating multiple brain surgeries. He’s now disabled, grappling with severe headaches, memory loss, and that insidious brain fog. Even more tragically, attorney Timothy Loranger's firm has been retained by new clients, including the family of a young man who reportedly died in late 2025 following a ride on the X2. And, perhaps most chillingly, the case of Christopher Hawley, who died four years ago from a traumatic brain injury, also after riding X2, resurfaces.

So, what has Six Flags said in response to these mounting allegations and the growing legal storm? For now, silence. They’ve declined to comment on the pending litigation, a standard practice, of course. However, they did confirm that the X2 roller coaster has been closed since the evening of July 12, 2026. A small comfort for those already harmed, perhaps, but a definite pause for potential future riders.

And what about the regulators? The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, is the body tasked with overseeing amusement park ride operations. When CNN reached out, Cal/OSHA, regrettably, remained unresponsive. Previously, they had also avoided discussing the ride’s history of brain injuries or explaining how X2 was deemed safe after past incidents, merely stating that an inspection is currently underway. This lack of transparency, honestly, leaves many questions lingering in the air.

It's important to note, too, that while the number of claims is staggering, CNN hasn't been able to independently verify every single claim from the riders who've recently come forward. Plus, it's still unclear how many of the rider-reported injuries to Six Flags were actually then reported to the state, adding another layer of uncertainty to this already complex and distressing situation. As the lawsuits progress and investigations continue, one can only hope for clear answers and, more importantly, accountability.