Three individuals have filed civil suits alleging that Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 roller coaster caused traumatic brain injuries. The plaintiffs say the high‑speed, 360‑degree rotating coaster left them with severe medical conditions that required emergency brain surgery.
Details of the complaints
According to court filings, the first lawsuit was filed by the family of Pamela Guillen, who visited the park in July for her daughter’s 16th birthday. After the ride stopped, Guillen’s daughter observed her mother “sitting with a vacant stare and her mouth open,” unable to exit the coaster. Guillen, a previously healthy 39‑year‑old, collapsed shortly afterward and was taken to a hospital where surgeons performed emergency brain surgery.
The second suit involves 25‑year‑old Naomi Greer‑Wilkinson, who rode the coaster with siblings five days later. She collapsed after the ride ended, was hospitalized, and doctors discovered massive intracranial bleeding. Greer‑Wilkinson remains in a vegetative state, dependent on a ventilator and unable to speak or move.
A third complaint was filed on behalf of Michael Wilk, an insurance defense attorney who visited the park with his daughter and grandchildren in February. Wilk experienced a stabbing headache, dizziness, and difficulty walking after the ride. Although he did not seek immediate medical care, his condition worsened over weeks, leading to multiple surgeries for brain swelling and bleeding. He now reports chronic headaches, memory loss, confusion, and personality changes that have ended his legal practice.
Attorney statements and park response
Attorney Gary Dordick, representing the plaintiffs, says his firm has retained more than 100 clients who suffered brain injuries after riding X2 in the past two years. “It’s inexcusable that more isn’t done,” Dordick said, adding that Six Flags allegedly knew of prior injuries and deaths yet kept the attraction operating.
Six Flags declined to comment on pending litigation, noting that the X2 coaster has been closed since the evening of July 12. The park’s official policy is to refrain from discussing ongoing lawsuits.
Ride specifications and prior incidents
The X2 coaster, which debuted in 2002 as X and was revamped in 2008, reaches a top speed of 76 mph (122 kph) and spans 3,610 feet (1,100 meters). Its rotating seats complete a full 360‑degree turn, and the ride includes two “raven turns”—half‑loops that transition into steep drops.
Six Flags previously settled a wrongful‑death lawsuit after a 22‑year‑old died from severe brain bleeding the day after riding X2 in 2022. The medical examiner ruled the death a result of blunt head trauma.
Public safety concerns
Online forums for X2 enthusiasts have discussed “unspoken rules” for riding safely, with many users reporting severe headaches or concussion‑like symptoms after the final raven turn. Some riders have even resorted to wearing soft head helmets.
Dordick argues that the park’s defense—that riders assume ordinary risks such as dizziness or nausea—fails to address the documented cases of serious brain injury. He maintains that the risk of traumatic brain injury is not a reasonable assumption for a family‑oriented amusement park.
What’s next?
The lawsuits seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. They also allege that Six Flags intentionally restricted public disclosure of evidence related to X2 safety issues. The pending litigation may prompt further scrutiny of the coaster’s design and operational procedures.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
