Three riders have sued Six Flags Magic Mountain, alleging that the park's X2 roller coaster left them with traumatic brain injuries, according to lawsuits filed Monday and reported by the Associated Press. Their attorneys at Dordick Law say the firm has been retained by more than 100 other people who report brain injuries after riding X2, a figure that has not been independently verified.
Two of the filings describe women who collapsed within days of each other in July. Pamela Guillen, 39, visited the Valencia park for her daughter's 16th birthday and was confused and unable to leave the ride when it stopped. She collapsed soon after and underwent emergency brain surgery. Days later, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, 25, collapsed after riding with her siblings and was found to have massive bleeding inside her skull. Her family says she remains hospitalized and dependent on a ventilator. A third plaintiff, Michael Wick, has had two brain surgeries and can no longer practice law, his attorney told ABC7 Los Angeles.
These are allegations, and no court or regulator has found that X2 caused any of the injuries. For families planning theme park trips this fall, the lawsuits raise the question of whether investigators will find a pattern, and what any rider should watch for after an intense ride.
The New Lawsuits Against X2
The suits name Six Flags and ride-car maker S&S Worldwide. Plaintiffs' attorneys say doctors who treated Guillen and Greer-Wilkinson attributed their injuries to rapid acceleration and deceleration on the ride.
"They don't assume a risk of death or catastrophic brain damage for some family fun," attorney Gary Dordick said, according to ABC7, rejecting the idea that riders accept all risks by choosing to board. Dordick said his firm accepted only clients who had received medical treatment before contacting a lawyer, and he expects more lawsuits in the coming weeks.
A Six Flags spokesperson said X2 has not operated since the evening of July 12, and the company declined to comment on pending litigation. California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, has an active inspection underway.
Since MedicalDaily's Earlier Report
MedicalDaily previously reported that a jury trial over the death of rider Christopher Hawley, who died in 2022, was scheduled for September, and explained how rotational forces can injure the brain. That trial did not take place. Magic Mountain settled the wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Hawley's family, ABC News reported, so no jury ruled on whether the ride was defectively designed.
Hawley, 22, died after riding X2, and his family's complaint cited a coroner's finding that he died of blunt head trauma sustained in a park ride accident. The new suits add claimants and medical details, but no independent findings.
Rare Risk, Clear Warning Signs
Serious ride injuries remain uncommon. The chance of a serious injury on a fixed-site U.S. amusement ride is about 1 in 15.5 million rides, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, an industry group whose figures rely on member reporting. Medical reports of coaster-related brain bleeding consist mostly of individual cases, which cannot show how often such injuries happen.
The attorney-reported count of more than 100 clients is not a medical tally. It reflects people who came forward to one law firm, and it cannot show that the ride caused each injury. Cal/OSHA's findings, if released, would carry more weight.
Risk is not the same for everyone. People with a known brain aneurysm, earlier bleeding in the brain, a recent concussion, a connective tissue disorder, or a history of neck artery tears, and those who take blood thinners, should ask a clinician before riding high-force rides.
After any intense ride, warning signs that need emergency care include a sudden severe headache, confusion, vomiting, slurred speech, weakness or numbness on one side, vision changes, and fainting. Bleeding inside the skull can worsen over hours, so waiting to see whether symptoms pass is risky. Anyone who rode X2 and still has headaches or memory problems should see a clinician and keep records of the ride date, symptoms, and medical visits. Workplace and ride safety concerns in California can be raised with Cal/OSHA, the state's occupational safety division.
Six Flags has not said whether or when X2 will reopen. The newest development is a larger group of claimants, not a new official finding about the ride. Families can keep enjoying parks while respecting posted ride warnings and treating severe symptoms after any ride as an emergency.
Key Questions Answered
What is new in the X2 case? Three riders filed lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injuries after riding X2, and their attorneys say more than 100 other people have retained their firm.
Has anyone proven the ride caused these injuries? No. The claims are allegations. No court or regulator has found that X2 caused the injuries.
Is X2 open? No. Six Flags says the ride has not operated since July 12, and Cal/OSHA has an inspection underway.
What happened to the Hawley case? Magic Mountain settled the wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Hawley's family, so no jury decided the design claims.
Who should avoid intense rides? People with a known aneurysm, prior brain bleeding, a recent concussion, connective tissue disorders, or prior neck artery tears, and those taking blood thinners, should check with a clinician first.
What symptoms after a ride need emergency care? Sudden severe headache, confusion, vomiting, slurred speech, one-sided weakness or numbness, vision changes, or fainting.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
