Authorities did not immediately identify the child who died Sunday at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, but state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife released a statement saying it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab.
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Kansas City Police Chief Terry Zeigler said emergency responders called to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark on Sunday found Caleb Schwab’s body in a pool at the end of the “Verrückt” slide. State law and regulations require that amusement parks perform annual safety inspections by safety officials licensed by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Schwab family during this incredibly hard time”. A spokesperson for the family, Pastor Clint Sprague, told ABC 7 that the family is heartbroken to have lost Caleb, who Sprague said loved sports, his parents, Jesus, and giving hugs. “Verrückt will not reopen for the remainder of the season”. Kansas state police are investigating Caleb’s death at the Schlitterbahn water park, which has been closed for the investigation.
The boy is the son of Representative Scott Schwab, a Republican from Kansas, and his wife Michele.
10-year-old Caleb Schwab died Sunday at the water park. He said people shouldn’t be risking their lives in having fun at an amusement park. Caleb was one of three passengers riding in a raft when the accident occurred. “I really am”, said Castaneda, of Kansas City, Kansas.
The state requested documentation from Schlitterbahn “to ensure all safety requirements have been followed”.
State law leaves it to the Kansas Department of Labor to adopt rules and regulations relating to certification and inspection of rides, adding that a permanent amusement ride must be scrutinized by “a qualified inspector” at least every 12 months. A limited portion of our Kansas City park will open for guests at noon on Wednesday.
The 2014 opening of Verruckt was delayed a few times, though the operators did not explain why.
In a news article linked to the news release announcing a 2014 delay, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today that he and senior designer John Schooley had based their calculations when designing the slide on roller coasters, but that didn’t translate well to a waterslide like Verruckt. They are then “blasted back up a second massive hill, and then sent down yet another gut-wrenching drop for the ultimate in water slide thrills”.
In early tests, rafts carrying sandbags flew off the slide, prompting engineers to tear down half of the ride and reconfigure some angles.
Those going on the slide are required to be at least 1.37m tall.
In a statement, Schlitterbahn said safety is their “top priority” and that the rides are inspected daily.
The 168-foot-tall waterslide is scheduled to open to the public Thursday, after initially being slated to open May 23.
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Police were investigating the death as a criminal case although police spokesman Cameron Morgan said Tuesday that designation did not mean they suspect foul play.
