In a tragic incident at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, a ten-year-old boy named Caleb Schwab was decapitated while riding the world’s tallest water slide, known as Verruckt, on August 7, 2016. The horrifying event unfolded in front of his family, leaving his parents, Scott and Michelle Schwab, devastated. The ride, certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest water slide at 168 feet, allowed multiple riders to descend a steep drop at speeds reaching 70 miles per hour.
Caleb, who was riding with his 12-year-old brother, Nathan, was seated at the front of the raft. During the ascent of the slide’s second hill, the raft became airborne and Caleb struck a metal support beam encased within the safety netting, resulting in his tragic death. The family had made their way to the top of the slide just moments before the incident.
His father, Scott Schwab, recalled the harrowing moment as he learned of his son’s fate. “Six went to the park and five came back,” he stated. “Before they took off, I said, ‘Brothers stick together,’ and [Caleb] said, ‘I know, dad.’” After the incident, Nathan, who was the first to ride down, was heard screaming, “He flew from Verruckt, he flew Verruckt,” as chaos ensued.
Emergency responders were called to the scene, but Caleb’s mother was initially prevented from reaching him. A distraught Scott Schwab described his shock when he asked a staff member for confirmation of his son’s death, stating, “I just need to hear you say it. Is my son dead? And he said, ‘Yes, your son is dead.’ It was surreal. I don’t even remember driving home.”
Details of the Incident and Aftermath
The tragedy did not only affect Caleb’s family but also involved two other women riding in the same raft. One woman sustained a broken jaw, while the other suffered a facial fracture and required stitches. At the time of the incident, Caleb weighed just 34 kg, while the two women weighed a combined total of 214 kg. Though the raft’s total weight was under the recommended limit of 250 kg, the uneven distribution contributed to the accident.
Following the incident, allegations surfaced regarding a lack of proper safety training for park employees. A park worker claimed that the only inspections conducted involved brief checks of ride performance, raising concerns about the adequacy of safety protocols in place.
A documentary titled The Water Slide later revealed disturbing footage of early tests of the Verruckt ride, showing the raft becoming airborne during test runs. One clip captured an employee exclaiming about the dangers, stating, “It fell backwards and killed every sandbag in there.”
In response to the tragedy, Scott Schwab took to the floor of the state legislature, advocating for changes in ride safety regulations. His efforts aimed to prevent similar incidents by holding amusement parks accountable for ride inspections.
Caleb’s family ultimately received settlements totaling approximately $20 million from multiple parties, including Schlitterbahn, in early 2017. Details regarding the financial arrangements with the two other injured riders were kept confidential.
The shocking nature of this incident has sparked ongoing discussions about amusement park safety and the responsibilities of operators to ensure the well-being of guests. The Schwab family’s loss serves as a somber reminder of the potential risks associated with thrill rides and the importance of stringent safety measures.
