Pastor Clint Sprague, the family spokesperson for the Schwab family, said they're heartbroken. They said all rides are inspected daily before opening. He described a horrific scene after the boy's death. And according to state law, they didnt need those credentials to deem their own ride safeunlike in the neighboring state of Missouri, water parks in Kansas do not require inspections by a state agency. The slide's name means "insane" in German. The slide is 168 feet tall and has 264 stairs leading to the top - taller than the Statue of Liberty. 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. Verruckt was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. The 10-year-old son of Kansas politician Scott Schwab died while riding the world's tallest waterslide, the 17-storey Verruckt, in Kansas City, The Sun reports. Boy dies on 'world's biggest waterslide' at Kansas park Water slide death: 10-year-old Caleb Schwab is in heaven drinking chocolate milk, says friend An investigation has been launched into. Caleb died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, while riding the Verruckt, a water slide that's billed as the world's largest, at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan. (David Strickland / AP) KANSAS . The lifeguard told Castaneda there was nothing he could do to help. "[Nathan] was screaming, 'He flew from Verrckt, he flew Verrckt,'" Caleb's mother said. ABC's Elizabeth Hur has the latest on a pair of amusement park accidents. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Did he enjoy extreme rides? The park reopened on Wednesday except for a large section that includes the waterslide, although its looming profile greeted visitors when they drove through the entrance. He would have fallen down without the raft.". Caleb, his parents and 3 brothers attended "elected officials day" at the water park on Sunday. 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 waterslide went airborne at the crest of the drop. Period, he said. Castaneda said he had ridden the slide earlier in the day with his cousin's 14-year-old daughter. ABC News talked with Esteban Castaneda, who witnessed the incident at the water park. Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick sent an email on Sunday to other members of the state legislature asking for their prayers for the Schwabs. The dismissed charges were based upon improper "illegal" evidence presented to a grand jury, ruled Judge Robert Burns of Wyandotte County, according to KMBC. See Which Celebrities Announced Pregnancies in 2023 So Far, See Teen Mom OG Alum Mackenzie Edwards Style Transformation: Photos. It was supposed to be just another summer day at the Kansas City water park until Jess Sanford and Melanie Gocke witnessed something that would be imprinted on their minds forever: the death. 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. Caleb Thomas Schwab, the son of Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab, was killed Sunday while riding "Verruckt" at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. In a statement, she said "a limited portion" of the park will reopen at midday Wednesday. Riders plummeted down the nearly vertical 17-story chutetaller than Niagara Fallsat speeds up to 70. Police say Caleb Schwab was one of three passengers riding in a . Witnesses describe moment they realised boy had died on the waterslide, Boy dies on 'world's biggest waterslide' at Kansas park, Caleb Thomas Schwab posing with his father Scott Schwab, a Kansas state lawmaker, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Water slide death: 10-year-old boy 'was decapitated' after falling from Kansas ride, Kansas waterslide death: Two women also injured in accident that killed 10-year-old boy, Water slide death: 10-year-old Caleb Schwab is in heaven drinking chocolate milk, says friend, Read more Family of two-year-old boy killed by alligator ask for privacy, 'Trail of blood' followed boy decapitated on water slide, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off and extra perks with Booking.com Genius membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 15% off selected items using this eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK February 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this February, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. LPBW's Audrey and Jeremy Roloff's Family Trip to Disneyland: See Photos, 90 Days Vanessa Gives Update on Colts Recovery from Scary Accident, SAG Awards 2023 Red Carpet: Photos of the Best and Worst Dressed Stars, The Ette Hotel Brings The White Lotus World To Life: Get Details, Farrah Abrahams Daughter Sophia Gets 6 Piercings for Her 14th Birthday, Meet Return to Amishs Sabrinas Newborn: Cutest Photos of Baby No. She had told him that her safety belt's Velcro came undone toward the end of her ride. 1:32 Kansas lawmaker's son dies on 'world's tallest' water slide They also were charged with 17 other felonies, including aggravated battery and aggravated endangerment of a child counts tied. I know I will. A promotional video about building the slide includes footage of two men riding a raft down a half-size test model and going slightly airborne as it crests the top of the first big hill. The slide is 168-feet tall and has 264 stairs leading to the top -- taller than the Statue of Liberty. The case focused on a waterslide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan. In February, a judge dismissed the charges against Henry and Schooley. "It . A witness named Kelsey Friedrichsen recalls, "It looked like he must have somehow been ejected from his seat, bounced around between the netting and the slide and just slid down. It features a 168-foot plummet, during which riders in three-person rafts travel as fast as 45 miles per hour. In seeking the indictment, state attorneys showed grand jurors video footage filmed for a Travel Channel show, Xtreme Waterparks, which featured the slide in an episode. She remembered a short video they were required to watch, though she didn't recall that it included any caveats about peril. USA Today reports a full investigation is underway. The park was closed down after the incident Sunday and remained closed Monday. He described a horrific scene after the boy's death. A memorial service is planned for Friday afternoon. other recent tragedies are any indication. Riders are told to hold ropes inside the raft. ABC News talked with Esteban Castaneda, who witnessed the incident at the water park. He said Caleb was a hugger who loved his parents, sports and Jesus. With opening day of Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City approaching, the Verrckt water slide still stands as a reminder of the grisly death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab last year. Each strap is held in place by long Velcro-style straps, not by buckles. Had he done it before, and alone? KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) 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. Oberhauser said he reported the matter to park workers. -- A judge dismissed criminal charges Friday against a Kansas water park owner and the designer of a 17-story slide on which a 10-year-old boy was decapitated in 2016. In 2012, the Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry, together with the senior designer John Schooley, fast-tracked Verrckts construction to coincide with an appearance on a reality TV show about amusement parks. North Dakota news site MyNDNow.com reports the boy's parents were with him at the park that day. The Verrckt German for "crazy" or "insane" had been named the world's tallest waterslide by Guinness World Records. TheAtlantic.com Copyright (c) 2023 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. Kansas City, Kansas, police say a 10-year-old boy who was killed while riding the world's tallest water slide died of a neck injury. Inside the Prize! Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 54 inches tall, according to the park's website. Miles, said there is no question that Fridays ruling about what occurred before the grand jury was correct and the judges reasoning legally sound.. Legal Statement. Marshals said. The ride was designed at the park, led by John Schooley with assistance from park co-owner Jeff Henry. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. All Rights Reserved. 2 KANSAS CITY, Kan. A judge dismissed criminal charges Friday against a Kansas water park owner and the designer of a 17-story slide on which a 10-year-old boy was decapitated in 2016. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com. Caleb Schwab, 10, died on the world's tallest water slide in Kansas City in August 2016 Credit: David Strickland 7 The water slide in Kansas City was billed as the world's tallest at. As investigators continue to look for answers, chilling new video has emerged - detailing the dangers of the. Nathan went down the slide first and waited for Caleb at the bottom. A 12-year-old boy died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, on the Kansas water slide that was billed as the . A memorial service will be held Friday afternoon, Sprague said. The corporation behind the Verruckt water slide in Kansas City and a former operations director who is being charged with manslaughter for the death of a 10-year-old boy did not have any proper . I wouldn't be surprised if they lack regulations on safety harnesses as well. Riders plummeted down the nearly vertical 17-story chutetaller than Niagara Fallsat speeds up to 70 miles per hour. All rights reserved. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. People also reports the two women riding with Caleb, who were not related to him, suffered minor facial injuries. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. AUGUST 9, 2016 REPORT: It's called "the world's tallest water slide," and it reaches higher than the Statue of Liberty and Niagara Falls. 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