Over 100 People Allege Brain Damage From Six Flags Roller Coaster

More than 100 individuals have come forward alleging brain injuries, some leading to comas, allegedly sustained on the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The accusations follow a CNN investigation that highlighted life-altering injuries and deaths linked to the ride. Civil attorney Christopher Bulone stated Tuesday that Six Flags has been "willingly gambling with people's lives."

Three lawsuits were filed Tuesday by attorneys representing individuals who claim to have suffered brain injuries on the X2 ride. Lawyers noted that hundreds more contacted them with claims that were ineligible for lawsuits due to statute of limitations, non-brain-related injuries, or lack of medical treatment proof.

Two of the new lawsuits represent riders featured in the earlier CNN report: Pamela Guillen, 40, and Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, 25. Both women allegedly suffered severe traumatic brain injuries during rides in July. Images showed Guillen appearing lifeless after her ride, and Greer-Wilkinson collapsed and required emergency brain surgery, remaining in a coma.

Doctors involved in Greer-Wilkinson's care expressed urgency about the ride's safety. "I do remember one of the surgeons storming through the ER and yelling: 'How many is it this month? They've got to shut that ride down!' He was furious," said Greer-Wilkinson's mother, Artemis Greer.

Medical professionals analyzing Guillen's and Greer-Wilkinson's cases believe their injuries resulted from "traumatic rapid acceleration-deceleration event experienced while on the X2 ride," according to an email viewed by CNN.

The X2, described as the world's first fourth-dimension roller coaster, reaches speeds of nearly 80 miles per hour and flips rider seats 360 degrees. It has been cited in more than a dozen injury and hospitalization reports over the past two decades. The ride has been closed since July 12, with Six Flags not providing a reason or issuing statements on the ongoing investigations.

Previous incidents linked to the X2 include the 2022 death of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley, whose coroner's report indicated blunt head trauma from a "park ride accident." His father told Fox 11 that a surgeon suggested the ride "hit his head so hard that it had basically ruptured his brain." Hawley's family reached a settlement with Magic Mountain LLC and an accord with the coaster train supplier, S&S Worldwide Inc., with undisclosed terms.

In 2010, 28-year-old Hilda Farias also died after riding the roller coaster. Doctors suggested the ride's intensity exacerbated a pre-existing brain abnormality, leading to a rupture. Her family later settled a lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.

There are only three X2 roller coasters globally, with the other two located in China and Japan.