[13] Engineers who inspected the ride also commented that the ride's netting, used in areas where riders travel up to 70 miles per hour (110km/h), "posed its own hazard because a rider moving at high speeds could easily lose a limb if they hit it". 2023 Cable News Network. REACTION: Parents concerned at Houston-area water parks. "Stay away from the large rides," explained Rachel Grey, who brought her kids. I didnt understand what was going on so I only saw Caleb sliding down the last half of the slide, and then I saw the blood., Witness to water slide accident: I saw him slide down, "and then I saw the blood" https://t.co/7EqQ8ToDxd https://t.co/zUYdNUrXBm. The Great Recession two years later forced many amusement park operators, including Schlitterbahn, to scale back their plans and focus on making their existing parks profitable in the challenging economy. The video here is a point-of-view shot of the Giant Verrckt Water Slide at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, where the son of a state lawmaker died while plummeting down the 168-foot drop! The park has since been shut down while an investigation into the boy's death continues. Updated Schlitterbahn is a Texas-based company so the lawyers involved could move forward with legal proceedings there. All Rights Reserved. However, Henry and Schooley, while watching riders that day, noted how many rafts seemed to be going airborne on the lower hump, into the emergency netting meant to keep them on the slide. "We had many issues on the engineering side," Jeff Henry, Verruckt creator and Schlitterbahn co-owner told USA Today. In this photo taken with the fisheye lens, riders go down the world's tallest waterslide called "Verruckt" at Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Wednesday, July 9, 2014, in Kansas City, Kan. Charlie Riedel, AP Asking for privacy to grieve, they said: Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with.. The boy was the son of Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife, Michele. The two women riding in the raft with Caleb suffered minor facial injuries. (Reuters: Dave Kaup)The ride was created after Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeffrey Wayne Henry made a "spur . Castaneda said that he heard booms coming from the area of the slide and then saw a body wash down the slide directly after the raft did. The tragedy itself, and perhaps how Schlitterbahn handled the aftermath of the tragedy along with . 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Caleb Schwab, 10, died on theworld's tallest water slide in Kansas City in August 2016, The water slide in Kansas City was billed as the world's tallest at 168ft high, Fire engines pictured at the scene of the fatal accident in 2016, The ride was named Verruck and translates to 'insane' in German, Footage shows rafts becoming airborne over the hump of a slide on which a boy was killed, Ten-year-old Caleb Schwab was killed when his raft hit a metal pole supporting a safety net, The Verrckt was the tallest water slide in the world when it opened in 2014, Worlds tallest water slide that decapitated boy, 10, was so dangerous its designer admits we didnt know if people would survive, Mum had to be held back from horror after son, 10, was decapitated on water slide at Schlitterbahn Water Park, Tokyo stabbing - 'Knifeman' said he wanted to 'kill happy women' in rampage on train that wounded ten in Olympic city, Serial rapist, 68, jailed for 16 years for raping woman - despite insisting 'I've changed' after early prison release, Mom, 35, is beaten by dirt bike riders who dragged her from car in front of her daughter, 8, after she honked at them, Toddler in nappy found wandering through the streets alone in the rain as worried Aldi shoppers raise the alert, Baby girl 'would not have had the strength to cry' after mum Verphy Kudi left Asiah to die on 6-day 18th birthday bender, How Neanderthal are YOU? We pay for your stories! [34], After Scott Schwab spoke to his fellow legislators about his son's death and its effect on him, they voted to change the law that had allowed Schlitterbahn to self-inspect, requiring that all the state's amusement park attractions be regularly inspected by the state. [7][10] Although the park reopened three days later, the ride remained closed. The park has since been shut down while an investigation into the boy's death continues. The midnight execution of Harold William Otey, who attacked and murdered an Omaha woman in her Elmwood Park home, brought a loud, raucous and sometimes angry crowd of about 1,000 to the State Penitentiary in Lincoln on September 1st/2nd, 1994. However, the particular ride that killed a 10-year old boy Sunday remains closed. "And we didn't know whether we had it figured out or not.". Asking for privacy to grieve, they said: Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with.. Henry, best known locally for designing the Verruckt water slide in Kansas City, Kansas, that caused the death of a young boy, faces up to 57 months in prison if he violates his probation. [7] Initial attempts to pitch the idea to vendors at the show failed,[2] so Henry decided to build the slide himself,[8] enlisting John Schooley as the ride's lead designer. [25][28] Although the park reopened three days later, the ride remained closed. . [3][9] Henry had described the new ride to the Travel Channel crew as a "speed blaster", a term he had likewise improvised. The ride, which is taller than both the Statue of Liberty and Niagra Falls, left even its creator terrified. Experts Say Caleb Schwab Should Have Been In Center Seat", "State of Kansas v. Tyler Austin Miles, Schlitterbahn Waterpark of Kansas City, Kansas", "Schlitterbahn Kansas City announces Verruckt water slide to be removed after child death in August", "Schlitterbahn will close Verrckt water slide where 10-year-old boy was killed", "Cedar Fair reaches deal to acquire Schlitterbahn water parks in Texas", "Schlitterbahn to tear down Verruckt water slide in KCK where young boy died in 2016", "Court Grants Permission To Destroy World's Tallest Waterslide", "Plans to tear down water slide where boy died on hold", "Demolition begins on Schlitterbahn's Verruckt", "Cedar Fair, parent company of Worlds of Fun, purchases Texas Schlitterbahn waterparks, with rights to KCK property", "A boy was decapitated on a waterslide. Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 54 inches tall, according to the park's website. Galveston Schlitterbahn officials declined to go on camera or send us a statement for this story. The Verruckt water slide opens at Schlitterbahn waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas to acclaim. [19] However, at least thirteen riders suffered non-fatal injuries, such as concussions or slipped and herniated discs many of which had long-term effects after either hitting the netting or being thrown into it. John Schooley, who designed the killer slide, said that during testing he "didn't know whether he was going to survive" a run on the ride. Demolition of Verrckt began on November 1, 2018. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts; Retouching: Will Herwig. On November 6, 2020, Homefield LLC signed an agreement with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas to fund the redevelopment of the former Schlitterbahn lot for $90 million into an amateur sports complex. He said: "As we were going down, we went down the first one, and as we were approaching the second one, he was in the back and you could hear him say that his strap came off and when we hit, he was real tense, shaken, because his strap had come completely off and literally he was using all of his force to hold him onto the slide. One witness described the scene as "the worst day in her life". Sanford and Gocke, both teenagers, had just ridden the slide earlier that same day. Riders were held in by nothing more than Velcro straps. [17] According to the guidelines, Verrckt should have incorporated the use of a rigid over-the-shoulder restraint for riders,[16] and an upstop mechanism to prevent the rafts from going airborne. Pastor Clint Sprague, the family spokesperson for the Schwab family said they're heartbroken. [3] Designed by Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry, Verrckt was a three-person raft slide with an uphill section. Michelle continued: "There was a gentleman who wouldn't allow me to come close enough to see what was going on and kept saying: 'No, trust me. [35][36] The Schwab family settled with several involved parties, including Schlitterbahn, for approximately US$20 million in early 2017. The Verruckt ride, which means "insane" in German, was open at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, when Caleb, the son of Kansas lawmaker Scott Schwab, was killed. [6], In August 2016, 10-year old Caleb Schwab was killed while riding Verrckt. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The slide is 168-feet tall and has 264 stairs . The slide is 168-feet tall and has 264 stairs leading to the top -- taller than the Statue of Liberty. The opening of the 17-storeyfreefall water ride has been revealed to have beenpushed back twice with further safetyconcerns coming to lightafter young Caleb Schwab was decapitated while on the ride, with horrified witnesses recounting the horror blood-streaks left on the ride. The boy, Caleb Schwab, was with his family at the Schlitterbahn waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 7, 2016, when the raft he was riding on the 17-story Verrckt . [45][9], The 2018 indictment against Schlitterbahn wrote that Henry and Schooley "lacked technical expertise to design a properly functioning water slide" and did not perform standard engineering procedures or calculations on how the slide would operate. Kansas officials have charged two more Schlitterbahn Waterparks employees in the decapitation death of a 10-year-old boy at the New Braunfels company's Kansas City park . I was so happy that Schlitterbahn hired me that I didn't think anything about the tragic accident on the Verrckt water coaster the previous year. He flew from Verruckt!'". Celebrating Kwanzaa in Tampa Bay: history, culture,, However, the particular ride that killed a 10-year old boy Sunday remains closed, RELATED:Expert wants feds to regulate rides after 2 terrifying incidents, Top items you will want on hand if your area floods, If your kid is fascinated with reptiles, then theyre, Todd Chrisley reports to prison in Pensacola, Missing womans husbands search history read in, FHP searching for Dade City driver who killed bicyclist, Garbage truck strikes woman, 71, critically injuring, Man missing at sea after huge fish pulled him overboard, DeSantis aims to expand COVID-19 protections in FL, Fla. Lottery launches 4 games with over $540M in. Floods are going to become more common, so its vital to learn how to prepare, no matter where you live. Are '90 Day Fiance' Stars Big Ed and Liz Still Together Amid Engagement? All Rights Reserved. Kansas Police Department has since released a statement, expressing their condolences to the Schwab family after the tragic loss of Caleb. Henry was arrested in Cameron County for charges stemming from a Kansas-based grand jury indictment regarding the 2016 death of a 10-year-old-boy at the Schlitterbahn company's Kansas City waterpark. He said Caleb was a hugger who loved his parents, sports and Jesus. "No one had ever done anything like this.". Shocking test video shows rafts flying off waterslide where boy, 10, was 'decapitated' . [37] Settlements involving the other two riders who were injured in the accident were undisclosed. [54][55][56] The judge's ruling reprimanded state attorneys for presenting the Xtreme Waterparks episode to jurors as fact, instead of as a "fictional and dramatized version of events created for entertainment purposes",[57] and expert witnesses for claiming that the designers of the slide were negligent in not following ASTM standards, though the law at the time did not require that those standards be followed. As you can see, at the time it was shot, there were no safety nets enclosing the chute to retain the rafts. Kansas waterslide death: Two women also injured in accident that killed 10-year-old boy Boy dies on 'world's biggest waterslide' at Kansas park Water slide death: 10-year-old Caleb Schwab is in . A 12-year-old boy died Sunday while riding the Verruckt water slide at the Schlitterbahn Kansas City Water Park. Independent investigation . He further stated, "The only time I saw the slide run successfully was on the Travel Channel episode, but I wouldn't even call that successful", he recalled, because the raft in that case got stuck on the second hump. Republican lawmaker Scott Schwab's son Calebdied on the Verruckt attraction at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. [21] The adjacent Wyandotte County Courthouse Annex building was demolished beginning in February 2021,[22] and the demolition of Schlitterbahn itself was completed before September. [37] Two of the company's water parks in Texas were sold in June 2019 for $261 million to Cedar Fair, a major owner of amusement parks nationwide, including Kansas City, Missouri's Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun.[37][42]. He said: "As soon as I hit the bottom of the first curve the shoulder strap just kind of busted loose. Police and firefighters found . It was at that point that he noticed the boy appeared to have been decapitated. kansas water park death lah dnt lead _00013119.jpg. They leave that up to the parks.". [3], Even some uninjured riders were unnerved by Verrckt. [13] This led to an uneven weight distribution that contributed to the raft going airborne, despite the cumulative weight of 546 pounds (248kg), less than the maximum recommended weight of 550 pounds (250kg). ", Reporting by HILARY SHENFELD and CAITLIN KEATING. The initial drop was a 17-story plunge with a five-story uphill section. - Click Here To Donate $5 Monthly! However, we have restored the page for those who are interested in rider requirements. All Rights Reserved. Sandbags loaded into rafts during testing went airborne. "It was surreal. The Verruckt water slide has been closed since the death of a 10-year-old on the ride in 2016. A MOM had to be held back from the horror of her son, 10, being decapitated on a water slide at Schlitterbahn Water Park. remark and says 'what else has he forgotten?' [3] In November 2016, Schlitterbahn announced that Verrckt would be demolished following the conclusion of a criminal investigation. KANSAS CITY, Kan. A 10-year-old boy was decapitated as he rode a 168-foot tall waterslide at a water park in Kansas, a person familiar with the investigation said Wednesday. The Verruckt ride, which means "insane" in German, was open at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, when Caleb, the son of Kansas lawmaker Scott Schwab, was killed.. The 10-year-old son of Kansas lawmaker Scott Schwab died while riding the world's tallest waterslide - the Verruckt, in Kansas City. The 168ft-high Verruckt, which means "insane" in German, was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. On Sunday, ten-year-old Caleb Schwab died at the Schlitterbahn park in Kansas City while on a 168 foot high slide. As of today, August 7, we are five years after his horrific death. The 370-acre (1.5 km 2 ), $750 million development included a nearly 40-acre (160,000 m 2) waterpark, which is Schlitterbahn's fourth waterpark and its first outside Texas . At approximately 1430 hours an off duty officer working at Schlitterbahn notified police dispatch that an incident had occurred on the Verruckt Water Slide, and assistance was needed. Speaking to Brianna Keilar on CNNs New Day, Gocke said she saw Schwab falling down the Verrckt slide, leaving a trail of blood as he went. Make summer's best memories at Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark. "Schlitterbahn is a family water park, but this isn't a family ride. I looked over and saw his broken neck and him sliding down the slide leaving a blood trail, a witness aid. A Louisville mother is devastated after her 14-year-old boy was shot and killed in the Wyandotte neighborhood on Sunday afternoon. [18], In 2018, the last operating season of the park, four attractions remained closed throughout the season after an audit by regulators found that each did not comply with the Kansas Amusement Ride Act.[19]. "There's an annual inspection of the park, but it's really looking to make sure that the park itself has its paperwork in line," explained attorney Daniel Horowitz. Her friend Jess Sanford added: "I only saw Caleb slide down the last half of the slide, and then I saw the blood. Caleb Schwab was killed in a horrific accident on the Verruckt ride in Kansas City. Other traumatised witnesses said they saw Caleb's family crying as emergency services treated the other two women who were on the raft.8. [3], Verrckt was designed to consist of two drops, the initial being a 17-story plunge, with a five-story uphill midsection. Today is the fifth anniversary of the traumatic death. Instead they used "crude trial-and-error methods" to test its performance, out of haste to launch the ride. [2][48][49][50] Schooley was arrested at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport after returning from a trip to China on April 2, 2018. Verrckt ( German meaning "crazy" or "insane", listen) was a water slide located at the Schlitterbahn Kansas City water park in Kansas City, Kansas, United States. They realized that he was dead, so I dont think they tried to revive him, Sanford said. Two women in the boat with him neither related to Caleb suffered minor facial injuries. They both the heartbreakingly revealed that they most missed giving little Caleb hugs, with Scott saying he especially missed his "morning hug" with his son who was torn away from him. [31] This created an uneven weight distribution, which some experts concluded may have contributed to the raft going airborne, though the total weight of 546 pounds (248kg) was less than the maximum recommended weight of 550 pounds (250kg). "The Kansas City, Kansas Police and Fire . You don't want to go any further'.". Footage of the ride being tested show rafts flying from the huge ride with it delayed twice due to safety concerns and technical glitches. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. Keith Myers /TNS Show More Show Less 2 of 17 In 2014, the Schiltterbahn . Caleb Schwab, (10) the son of a Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab, died on a trip down the . She had told him that her safety belt's Velcro came undone towards the end of her ride. Police have revealed that 10-year-old Caleb Schwab who was involved in a fatal accident at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City on Sunday died of a "neck injury," PEOPLE confirms. Calculations that were normally allotted three to six months instead had five weeks to be completed. Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City was a water park that opened on July 15, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. Hemp protein powder provides a convenient way to get the nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy diet. Wyandotte . [3] The park did not operate the following season, and Schlitterbahn's reputation and finances were negatively impacted. Police confirmed that Caleb Schwab, 10, died from a "neck injury" on a 168-foot waterslide at Kansas City's Schlitterbahn Water Park in August 2016 As a result, the second drop was changed from 45 degrees to 22 degrees, an extra 5 feet (1.5m) was added to the uphill portion of the ride to slow the rafts,[23][24] and a series of metal hoops supporting netting were added into areas where rafts had flown off in early testing. A local woman whose boyfriend held her in the raft likewise noted to Esquire that the netting and hoops on the lower hump showed signs of many human collisions. Caleb Schwab, 10, was killed in an accident on a ride at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kan., his family said on Aug. 7, 2016. Galveston's Schlitterbahn does not have the slide Schwab was killed on, but does have other high slides. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 54 inches tall, according to the parks website. Is Florida getting another Buc-ees location? FOOTAGE of rafts flying off the world's tallest waterslide where a 10-year-old boy was killed has been revealed as safety concerns around the ride begin to surface. 9:25 AM EDT, Thu August 11, 2016, Water slide accident witness: I saw the blood, kansas water park death lah dnt lead _00013119.jpg. It appeared those who reached him first "just realised he was dead and didn't try to revive him", she added. That was when my boyfriend said, 'I think there is someone else'.". When the ride first opened in 2014, co-owner and Verruckt creator Jess Henry told USA Today: "We had many issues on the engineering side. The park knew the ride could kill people, officials say", "Court documents detail alleged negligence in design of Schlitterbahn water slide that killed 10-year-old", "Designers of water slide that decapitated boy 'had no technical qualifications', "Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry arrested in Texas on Verruckt-related charges", "Schlitterbahn executives charged with second-degree murder in Verruckt case", "Park owner, slide designer charged with murder in boy's waterpark death", "Kansas water park executives charged with murder in boy's death", "Schlitterbahn's Verruckt designer John Schooley arrested in Dallas", "Lawyer for Verruckt designer Schooley: 'Weight of evidence in this caseis weak', "First trial begins in Schlitterbahn tragedy", "Judge dismisses charges over boy's death on Schlitterbahn's Verruckt", "State of Kansas vs. Jeff Henry, John Schooley, Henry & Sons, Tyler Miles, KC Waterpark Management (Motion to Dismiss)", "In the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas Criminal Court Department", "Judge Dismisses Charges in Boy's Decapitation on 170-Foot-Tall Water Slide", "Schlitterbahn charges tossed. "That was when my boyfriend said, 'I think there is someone else.'". In the aftermath of his death, concerns have risen about . The raft he was riding went airborne during the ascent of the second hump and impacted a metal support of the netting, decapitating him. She said: "He was screaming: 'He flew from Verruckt! [9] In the immediate aftermath, the park was closed pending an inspection. What grocery stores are open on New Years Eve, Day? [2] An expansion of the water park opened on April 30, 2011, with six new attractions. Other thrill-seekers have since shared their experiences on the ride, including Paul Oberhauser, who told local station KCTV that his shoulder restraint had "busted loose". That was when my boyfriend said, 'I think there is someone else'.". 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An engineering firm hired to inspect the ride one week before its opening also issued a report that "guaranteed that rafts would occasionally go airborne in a manner that could severely injure or kill the occupants., In a statement released after Caleb's death, the Schwabs said: Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with.. And now, the Verrckt water slide at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas, is the site of a horrible accident, in which 10-year-old Caleb Schwab died Sunday. Aside from Kansas City, the park was located in Dallas as were a number of other parks owned by the company. Car Show: Police, Loretta Lynn Survived Multiple Falls and a Stroke Prior to Her Death at 90 but She Never Gave Up. Of those attractions, three were purchased from the former Geauga Lake amusement park in Ohio. At that point, Scott said that in his state of shock he repeatedly asked the man if his son had lost his life. WATCH: 10-Year-Old Son of Kansas Lawmaker Dies on 168-Foot Water Slide Called Insane, Jenna Bush Hager's Funniest Stories About Life in the White House, See All of the Celebrity Babies Born in 2020, 'Forgotten' American Sarah Krivanek Tells Her Story as She and Brittney Griner Are Freed from Russian Prison, Husband Thinks It's 1993 as He Wakes Up from Accident. [20] Cedar Fair did not pursue purchasing the property within those 120 days and the park remained standing but not operating. "It's dangerous, but it's a safe dangerous now," he added. When the ride first opened in 2014, co-owner and Verruckt creator Jess Henry told USA Today: "We had many issues on the engineering side. [5] No name was given during the announcement, while specifications on the height of the ride were kept secret in order to ensure that the completed ride would set a world record for its creation. He said: "I'm still recovering mentally. Did Brady play his last game at Raymond James? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. . Among the first riders was then-Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. Their horrific account of the tragedy comes as footage of rafts flying off the waterslide emerged, sparkingnewconcerns aboutthe safety of the ride. She said she wriggled out of them without much effort. [3], In November 2012, Schlitterbahn announced plans for the creation of the world's tallest and fastest water slide at its Kansas City park, to open in mid-2013. After a Missouri man thrown from the raft suffered facial injuries in June 2016, the park's operations manager allegedly attempted to cover up the incident, telling lifeguards what to write in their reports; it is believed that this happened with other accidents. Who Is '90 Day Fiance' Tell-All Host Shaun Robinson? A memorial service is planned for Friday afternoon. "The Kansas City, Kansas Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene and located Caleb Schwab, 10 years old, dead from a fatal neck injury at the end of the ride, in the pool. The son of Kansas City Republican Scott Schwab drowned on the Verruckt attraction at Schlitterbahn Waterpark last weekend. Terese Hendrix was sitting in her living room when she heard some . Most Dramatic Celeb Hair Transformations of 2023, Real Housewives of New Jerseys Gia Giudice Best Bikini Moments, Lets Go to the Beach! Plans for an $85 million Margaritaville Resort would take the place of the former Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Verruckt was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. "Usually on a ride, it might be scary, but you figure that they have it figured out. "There's not so much of a hands-on walking through, making sure everything is safe. A Wyandotte County grand jury indicted the following on charges of reckless second-degree murder: Jeffrey Wayne Henry, a co-owner of Schlitterbahn Companies and a designer of the . Castaneda said he noticed a lifeguard was trying to push the crowd back from the slide, but he continued to try to help because he thought there was someone lying face down in the water. "We'll just stay by the kiddie area and our cabanas.". Caleb Thomas Schwab, the son of Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab, was killed Sunday while riding "Verruckt" at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. Schlitterbahn Kansas City was reduced to a $180 million park without any lodging, and was not open for a full season until 2010. Since the ride's closure, it has emerged that concerns about its safety long predated the accident, with former employees saying that both ride inspections and staff training were inadequate. Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? This is your guide to the best family destination for fun in Kansas! Princess Diana's Death: Her Tragic Car Accident and Its Aftermath, 2 Killed, 20 Injured After Accident Sends 2 Cars Into Crowd at Neb. No one had ever done anything like this.". I don't even hardly remember driving home.". "A lot of our math was based on rollercoasters at first, and that didn't translate to a water slide like this. Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing. Get to Know Her! July 10, 2014. It was announced in September 2005 by Schlitterbahn Waterparks. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Henry, who had no formal engineering education, decided age 14 was better. Shocked theme park visitors had to hold his mother Michelle back from the horror. A 168-foot-tall Kansas waterslide on which a state lawmaker's 10-year-old son was killed last summer will be demolished once the unfolding investigation of the tragedy is f Discovery Company. Miles was released on bail Friday afternoon. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. About. Experts Say Caleb Schwab Should Have Been In Center Seat", "The making of Schlitterbahn's Verruckt water slide: Too much, too fast? It was later revealed that at least 13 other people had suffered non-fatal injuries from hitting the netting above the slide. The ride, which is taller than both the Statue of Liberty and Niagra Falls, left even its creator terrified. [14] When the park opened, delays in construction and testing of the ride led to its opening date being pushed back to June 5,[15] and then June 29, after the lower portion of the ride was rebuilt, to coincide with a television special about the ride;[16] the park later canceled this opening date and two days of media previews following further delays. Verrckt (German meaning "crazy" or "insane", listen) was a water slide located at the Schlitterbahn Kansas City water park in Kansas City, Kansas, United States. KCUR reporting "The child who died was the oldest son of Kansas Rep. Scott Schwab, R-Olathe. PUBLISHED 4:32 PM ET Aug. 10, 2016. The riders who had seen the videos of 110-pound (50kg) sandbags flying off the rafts went on anyway. He said: "As soon as I hit the bottom of the first curve the shoulder strap just kind of busted loose. ", He said he had told park staff, saying: "They kinda said, 'Oh no, really' or something 'yes, that's not good'. She said: "There was a woman being treated for some kind of injury on her face and head. After Schwab's death, amusement park safety laws were updated to require state inspection of all attractions. Schwab and his wife released a statement confirming it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab, whose family were at the park with him when he died. "His friend was screaming for help and I think that's when staff members and medics and stuff started running.". The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Since the incident, PEOPLE has learned that Verruckt's scheduled 2014 opening was delayed multiple times due to glitches, including one issue that caused water rafts to fly off the slide and into the air. Witnesses claimed he went down the first drop, then flew out and hit netting enclosing the ride. Caleb was killed when his raft became airborne over the slide's 50-foot hump and collided with a metal bar supporting a safety net above. The video begins with a couple of thrill-seekers putting their lives on the line as they take a test run down the unfinished, open chute. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas to Reopen Wednesday After 10-Year-Old's Death on Slide Caleb Schwab, 10, was killed in an accident on a ride at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kan., his . But it didn't, so I worked there. Video Opinion . State legislators from the area passed a law allowing Schlitterbahn to self-inspect its attractions without state oversight as it did in Texas, unlike all other amusement parks in Kansas, which were subject to state inspection. The 168ft-high Verruckt, which means insane in German, was certified as the worlds tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. See Photos! The 2 other adult female riders in the boat, not related tothe victim, sustained minor facial injuries, and were transported and treated at area hospitals.". WARNING: The details in this story are graphic and may not be suitable for all readers. Today, August 7, is the fifth anniversary of his horrific death in August 2016. Footage of the ride being tested show rafts flying from the huge ride with it delayed twice due to safety concerns and technical glitches. The ride's final design made rafts reach a maximum speed of 70mph (110km/h). Revealed that at least 13 other people had suffered non-fatal injuries from hitting the netting above the slide earlier same... And his wife, Michele three days later, the park was in. To a water slide at the time it was shot and killed in the boat with him neither related Caleb! ] in the aftermath of his horrific death in August 2016 was created after Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeffrey Wayne made... Dangerous now, '' he added Less 2 of 17 in 2014, the ride remained closed slide in rafts. Away from the huge ride with it delayed twice due to safety concerns and technical glitches Department since. Crude trial-and-error methods '' to test its performance, out of haste to launch the ride was after! Louisville mother is devastated after her 14-year-old boy schlitterbahn kansas city death video the oldest son of Kansas Rep.... Math was based on rollercoasters at first, and perhaps how Schlitterbahn handled the of! 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