Kansas water park shutters slide after it killed 10-year-old boy
The creators behind the “World’s tallest water slide” have decided to tear down their behemoth creation after a 10-year-old boy died while riding it in August.
Caleb Schwab was at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City on Aug. 7 with his mother, father and brother. The young boy was eager to ride the park’s 17-story water slide known as the “Verruckt,” which had been promoted as being taller than Niagara Falls.
But excitement turned to horror, as the “Verruckt” ride became Caleb’s last when the record-breaking attraction decapitated him as he raced down its steep slide on a raft at over 50 miles per hour.
On Tuesday, Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Pam Renteria said in a statement that the ride — which is named after the German word for “insane” — will be deconstructed as soon as a court gives the park permission to do so.
Father of Kansas boy killed on water slide releases statement
The ride — which is named after the German word for “insane” — will be deconstructed as soon as a court gives the park permission to do so.
(DAVE KAUP/REUTERS)
“It is the only proper course of action following this tragedy,” Renteria stated. “In our 50 years of providing an environment for families and friends to gather, we’ve never experienced this kind of devastating event.”
Renteria also noted that the park continues to cooperate with investigators and families affected by the tragic accident.
Caleb, the son of Republican Kansas Rep. Scott Schwab, was racing down the slide with two adult women, one of whom suffered a broken jaw, and the other a broken bone in her face.
Caleb was the son of Republican Kansas Rep. Scott Schwab.
(Kansas State Legislature)
The slide was in compliance with state requirements for amusement rides at the time of Caleb’s death, but had been subjected to several construction delays over safety concerns before it debuted in 2014.
Water slide where Kansas boy died wasn’t inspected since opening
A GoFundMe page that was set up for Caleb after the horrific accident raised more than $21,000 in less than a day.
“Since the day he was born he brought abundant joy to our family and all those who he came in contact with,” Scott Schwab captioned the donation page. “As we try and mend our home with him no longer with us, we are in comfort knowing … We will see him another day.”
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