(L.A.) Christopher Hawley, 22, Died in Santa Clarita

Case Number: 2022-06570

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 22-year-old Caucasian male that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office identified the young man as Christopher Hawley, resident of Chapman Avenue in Garden Grove.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Blunt Head Trauma

RIP CHRISTOPHER HAWLEY (July 15, 1999 – June 24, 2022)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday at 12:13 p.m.

Incident date: June 23, 2022

Incident Location: Six Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia 91355

Place of Death: Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
23845 Mcbean Parkway, Santa Clarita 91355

The decedent was a recent graduate of San Diego State University. He was with his younger brother and their cousin at Six Flags Magic Mountain on June 23, when the trio climbed aboard the theme park’s most infamous and popular rollercoasters, X2.

The fourth dimension coaster, which is designed with rotating seats that move independently as the ride progresses, features a 215-foot drop, sudden flips and rotations all while reaching speeds of up to 76 miles per hour.

As the three neared the end of the ride, the coaster violently jolted to a halt, jarring the 22-year-old and the other two boys in their seats.

His younger brother and cousin noticed Christopher holding onto the rail for stability, walking haltingly down the ramp, and when they came to his aid, he mumbled that his head hurt.

That’s when the 22-year-old knelt down, slumped over to his side and lost consciousness.

A CT scan later at the hospital showed he suffered a catastrophic right subdural hematoma.

The family filed a lawsuit against Six Flags in 2024 and the trial is scheduled for October 2025.