What was supposed to be a few minutes of adrenaline and a memorable family outing ended with two women fighting for their lives in a Southern California hospital.
In July, two riders who had visited Six Flags Magic Mountain’s notorious X2 roller coaster suffered severe brain hemorrhages just days apart. Both women were rushed to the hospital and required emergency brain surgery. Neither had been involved in a car crash, serious fall or other violent accident.
The cases have renewed scrutiny of the extreme roller coaster, which has been operating for nearly two decades and is known for its unusual combination of speed, rotating seats, steep drops and unpredictable movements.
X2 reaches speeds of nearly 80 mph, while its seats rotate 360 degrees as the train moves along the track. Riders can be flipped, turned and sent into head-first drops, creating an experience unlike conventional roller coasters.
But the attraction’s thrill factor has also been accompanied by a troubling history of reported injuries.
A review of medical records, court documents and depositions has linked X2 to more than a dozen serious injuries and hospitalizations. Riders have reported traumatic brain injuries, loss of consciousness and long-term disabilities. Two deaths have also been associated with the attraction.
One of the most serious cases involved Christopher Hawley, a 22-year-old recent college graduate who rode X2 in 2022. Witnesses said he repeatedly struck his head against the back of the seat during the ride. He became unconscious shortly after exiting and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Doctors discovered extensive bleeding and swelling in his brain. Despite emergency surgery, Hawley died less than 10 hours after riding the coaster. A medical examiner later attributed his death to blunt head trauma connected to a park ride accident.
The concerns did not end there.
In July, Hawaii resident Pamela Guillen rode X2 with her daughter for a birthday celebration. After repeatedly hitting her head during the ride, Guillen became unconscious and was taken to the hospital. Doctors found a severe subdural hematoma and brain compression and performed emergency surgery.
She eventually woke up after two weeks in the hospital and had to relearn basic abilities such as walking and speaking. She continues to experience headaches, brain fog and other lasting effects.
Six days later, 25-year-old Naomi Greer-Wilkinson reportedly lost consciousness after riding X2 and was taken to the hospital for emergency brain surgery. Her family said doctors diagnosed her with a severe traumatic brain injury and warned them to prepare for the worst. She remains in a coma.
The roller coaster was closed in July while state authorities conducted an inspection. Officials have not provided a detailed explanation of the investigation or what prompted the closure.
For families affected by these incidents, the question is no longer simply whether X2 delivers an extreme thrill. It is whether a ride known for intense forces and a history of serious injuries should continue operating without a more comprehensive examination.
As one grieving family member put it, enough is enough. The growing concern is that what begins as a few minutes of entertainment can leave riders facing consequences that last a lifetime.