X2 Investigation Underway
Six Flags X2 Roller Coaster Remains Closed for Over a Month Amid State Safety Investigation
The X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, has been shut down for more than a month — and state safety officials are still investigating. Miami Herald reports that the park closed the ride on July 12, following a medical emergency on July 5 in which a person was found unconscious on the coaster and rushed to a local hospital.
The closure has drawn renewed attention to a ride that has long been a subject of controversy. Charlotte Observer notes that X2 originally opened in 2002 under the name X, and has been linked to at least one death — that of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley in 2022.
Cal/OSHA Opens Formal Inspection Into July Incident
California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health — known as Cal/OSHA — has opened an official inspection into the July 5 incident. Cal/OSHA is the state agency responsible for inspecting amusement parks. Star-Telegram reports that Six Flags Magic Mountain closed X2 one week after the medical emergency, on July 12, and the ride has not reopened since.
Los Angeles County Fire Department officials responded to the scene on July 5. They found a person unconscious on the ride and transported them to a nearby hospital. The condition of that person and the exact cause of the incident have not been publicly disclosed.
Hawley Family Lawsuit Ties Ride to 2022 Death
The closure adds pressure to Six Flags as it faces an active lawsuit over a prior death. The family of Christopher Hawley — who was 22 years old — alleges that X2 caused him a severe head injury that killed him in 2022. San Luis Obispo Tribune has reported on the lawsuit as part of the broader controversy surrounding the ride.
The lawsuit claims the ride itself was responsible for the fatal injury. Six Flags has not publicly commented in detail on the litigation. The case highlights longstanding concerns about rider safety on one of the park's most extreme attractions.
X2 Is One of the World's Most Extreme Coasters
X2 is no ordinary roller coaster. It is a so-called "4th Dimension" coaster, meaning riders sit in seats that spin independently on a separate axis while the train moves along the track. The ride reaches speeds of around 76 miles per hour and drops riders more than 200 feet. It debuted at Magic Mountain in 2002 as X — one of the first of its kind in the world.
The coaster was rebranded as X2 in 2008 after a major upgrade. Bellingham Herald notes that it has been one of the park's signature attractions for more than two decades. Its extreme design makes it a draw for thrill-seekers, but also raises the stakes when something goes wrong.
No Reopening Date Set as Investigation Continues
As of now, there is no announced timeline for X2 to reopen. Cal/OSHA inspections of this type can take weeks or months to complete. The agency has the power to require safety changes — or keep a ride closed — until it is satisfied that the attraction is safe for riders.
The News Tribune and other outlets report that Six Flags Magic Mountain has not publicly said when — or if — the ride will return this season. The extended closure during peak summer months is a significant blow to a ride that typically draws long lines every day the park is open.
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