Today is the fifth anniversary of the traumatic death. A memorial service is planned for Friday afternoon. All rights reserved. Several passengers who rode the waterslide where a 10-year-old boy was decapitated Sunday said that the rides Velcro-like straps would come loose, and that at least one lifeguard claimed they were just for show. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. The water park is now closed, and the slide has been demolished. 2 A lot of our math was based on roller coasters at first, and that didn't translate to a water slide like this. "I heard the noise, and I looked over immediately, and I saw his broken neck and him sliding down the slide leaving a blood trail," Melanie Gocke told CNN. His funeral is scheduled for Friday. The rafts sometimes lifted from the chute momentarily, and the slide was covered with netting, supported by metal poles, so riders would not fall off. It turned out to be 10-year-old Caleb Schwab, who was killed on the ride. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Kansas City, Kansas -- 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 . 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. According to. John Schooley . When the Verrckt slide opened in 2014, it was billed as "the world's tallest water slide.". "It is with an absolutely broken heart we have to ask for prayers for the Schwab family, who suddenly and tragically lost their sweet and energetic son in an accident today," he wrote. Henry faced a charge of second-degree murder. At 169 feet tall, Verrckt was the tallest waterslide in the world. 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. He described a horrific scene after the boy's death. A 10-YEAR-old boy was decapitated while riding a water slide in front of his horrified mom and brother in one of the US' worst theme park tragedies. The park was closed down after the incident Sunday and remained closed Monday. Craig described the ride as "very, very rough," so much so that "when I got off, my head hurt.". According to court documents, a team of experts who inspected the ride after Caleb's death found physical evidence that indicated that other rafts had gone airborne and collided with the overhead hoops and netting before the fatality. Whats more, on July 3, 2014one week before the rides grand openingan engineering firm that was hired to perform accelerometer tests on Verrckts rafts issued a damning report that guaranteed that rafts would occasionally go airborne in a manner that could severely injure or kill the occupants. Other documents cited evidence of dozens of Schlitterbahn customers who had been injured on the ride. Caleb Thomas Schwab, the son of Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab, was killed Sunday while riding "Verruckt" at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. The slide is 168 feet and has 264 stairs leading to the top -- taller than the Statue of Liberty. Riders plummeted down the nearly vertical 17-story chutetaller than Niagara Fallsat speeds up to 70. Legal Statement. He said Caleb was a hugger who loved his parents, sports and Jesus. This Nov. 2013 file photo shows Schlitterbahn's Verruckt speed slide/water coaster in Kansas City. ", In a statement, Schlitterbahn officials said they "are deeply and intensely saddened for the Schwab family and all who were impacted by the tragic accident.". The slide, known as Verrckt, which is German for crazy or insane, opened in 2014 and was marketed as the tallest waterslide in the world. — -- A 10-year-old boy who died on a water slide in Kansas City, Kansas, suffered a fatal neck injury, officials said, as a witness recounted the "horrific scene" and the "panic" that erupted in the wake of the incident last Sunday. The netting that ultimately ended up killing the child was added to prevent the rafts from flying off of the slide completely., In the film, Schooley speaks to a reporter after having tested the ride himself. "I didn't think much about it," she said. There wasn't a lot of science or ride engineering involved in the testing and design, Truesdell said. The Velcro straps are just to make you feel safer. Riders are propelled by jets of water as they go over a hump while riding the world's tallest water slide called "Verruckt" at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in 2014. was killed Sunday while riding "Verruckt" at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. They were sending sandbags down and basically hoping that they didn't fly off of the slide. Although they had built rides before, neither Henry nor Schooley had a background in mechanical engineering. T he death of a 10-year-old Kansas boy, who was decapitated on the world's tallest water slide over the weekend, has revived calls for change in the . The slide's name means "insane" in German. Inside the Prize! A showcase of cinematic short documentary films, curated by The Atlantic. 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. In a statement, the Kansas attorney general, Derek Schmidt, did not rule out seeking criminal charges again. The two women riding in the raft with Caleb suffered minor facial injuries. The slide's name means "insane" in German. Numerous elected officials and their families were in the park when the tragedy happened. Pastor Clint Sprague, the family spokesperson for the Schwab family said they're heartbroken. 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. Winter Prosapio, a spokeswoman for Schlitterbahn, said the company welcomed the decision. Jeffrey W. Henry at the Verrckt waterslide that he helped design for a Kansas water park. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Jeff Henry, Verrckt creator and Schlitterbahn co-owner, told USA Today about the several delays in opening the slide in 2014: "We had many issues on the engineering side. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Kansas City Star reports an attorney representing an affiliate of Kansas City, Kansas, park . The slide is also inspected daily. North Dakota news site MyNDNow.com reports the boy's parents were with him at the park that day. He then saw a raft come through, and "immediately after the raft you see a body," he said. But the Kansas attorney general said in a statement that he may still consider future criminal charges. Riders plummeted down the nearly vertical 17-story chutetaller than Niagara Fallsat speeds up to 70 miles per hour. All Rights Reserved. This is likely where Caleb had been sitting. It's like jumping off the Empire State Building. He would have fallen down without the raft.". Kansas City Police also released more information about the incident Monday, calling the boy's death a "fatal neck injury at the end of the ride." "I think we have a serious issue with the restraint system. Additional charges against the defendants included reckless behavior in the design, construction and operation of the ride, along with aggravated child endangerment. 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. Multiple injuries were reported before his incident. Along the way, riders clutch ropes along the inside of the raft. Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 54 inches tall, according to the park's website. Riders climbed 264 steps to the top before sitting in a raft that plummeted and then soared over a crest on its way to a runoff pool at the bottom. He hit a metal pole and was decapitated. Nathan Truesdell, a filmmaker from nearby Missouri, heard about the devastating incident on the news. German for insane, Verrckt was designed to challenge the laws of physics. The defendants included Jeffrey W. Henry, a co-owner of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts, which is based in Texas; John T. Schooley, a designer of the slide; and Tyler Austin Miles, a former operations director. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. And, please, hug your kids just a little tighter today. In early tests, rafts carrying sandbags flew off the slide, prompting engineers to tear down half the ride and reconfigure some angles. The boy's father, state Rep. Scott Schwab, thanked the community for the outpouring of support his family has received. Witnesses have described the harrowing moments after a 10-year-old boy was decapitated while riding on the worlds biggest waterslide in Kansas while other riders have told of their safety straps also coming loose . This is likely where Caleb had been sitting. She had told him that her safety belt's Velcro came undone toward the end of her ride. The two women in his raft, who were not related to Caleb, suffered minor injuries, police said. 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. Kansas Water Slide Death Pictures, Tom Purcell Viking Net Worth, Turn External Recipients Warnings On Or Off In Gmail, When Your Ex Girlfriend Gets Hotter, Indeed Welding Jobs With Per Diem, Cheltenham Ladies' College Staff List, Are Tarek and Christina Still Business Partners After 'Flip or Flop'? 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. Verruckt was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. ABC News talked with Esteban Castaneda, who. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com. Erica Conrad, a season-pass holder, told "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday she witnessed her friends close call last summer when his straps busted off during the ride. Police and the Schlitterbahn WaterPark have yet to explain exactly how Caleb died on the 168-foot-tall ride, which the park said Tuesday would be closed for the remainder of the season. Kansas City Police also released more information about the incident Monday, calling the boy's death a "fatal neck injury at the end of the ride." By Elizabeth Chuck. "The indictment said the Verruckt water slide raft at Kansas City's Schlitterbahn Waterpark "went airborne and collided with the overhead hoops and netting" designed to keep . That was really exciting because we truly didnt know whether we were going to survive it or not, he says. Schlitterbahn allegedly buried or downplayed these reports. "Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with," he said. Video by Nathan Truesdell At 169 feet tall, Verrckt was the tallest waterslide in the world. She had told him her safety belt's Velcro came undone toward the end of her ride. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? It was at that point that he noticed the boy appeared to have been decapitated. Over two years after 10-year-old Caleb Schwab lost his life on the tallest waterslide in the world, the amusement park industry has yet to fully reckon with the . The boy's parents Republican state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife, Michele have not spoken publicly since the death. Family pastor Clint Sprague told reporters today that Caleb "was an incredible young man" who was "full of life.". All Rights Reserved. ABC News talked with Esteban Castaneda, who. They realized that he was dead, so I don't think they tried to revive him.. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Paul Oberhauser told local television station KCTV his shoulder restraint "busted loose" on his Verruckt raft July 26. Jeffrey Henry, co-owner of the park, and John Schooley, the lead designer of the ride, have been charged with second-degree murder and face charges of aggravated endangerment of a child and aggravated battery. A memorial service is planned for Friday afternoon. I remember hearing about the accident on the news and thought that the park was going to shut down. Jon Rust, a professor of textile engineering at North Carolina State University, said the material used on the straps, commonly called hook and loop, isn't designed to keep a person in the seat. The two women in Calebs raft sisters who sustained facial injuries and bone fractures also received settlements from the park. A witness to the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy on the world's tallest water slide in Kansas has revealed gruesome details of how the boy died. USA Today reports a full investigation is underway. 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. * Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? A young childs life was lost and his troubling death was mourned by family, friends and the entire Kansas community and beyond.. A 12-year-old boy died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, on the Kansas water slide that is billed as the world's largest, according to officials. Dr. Robert Klapper says to start pool exercises as way to improve back, Elizabeth Holmes has 2nd child as she tries to avoid prison, TikTok sets new default time limits for teens. She said the ride's operators sent them down the slide even though their combined weight was 393 pounds shy of the 400 weight minimum the park advertises as a requirement. 90 Day Fiance Stars Weve Lost Over the Years, Still Together? -- 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. All rights reserved. Melissa Willets is a writer/blogger and a mom. or redistributed. Last year Caleb's family was awarded nearly $20 million in settlement payments from two companies associated with Texas-based Schlitterbahn, along with the ride's general contractor, the raft manufacturer and a consultant on the slide, reports The Kansas City Star. - Claiming corporate executives were rushed, careless and lacked expertise to design a thrill ride . Removal of the slide had been delayed pending the investigation and trial on the criminal charges, but last year a court gave approval for it to be demolished. Someone else who had ridden the Verrckt (which is named after the German word for "insane") earlier that day claims the Velcro on her seat belt came undone toward the end of the experience. 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. But it didn't, so I worked there. Castaneda saw the young victim, Caleb Schwab, lying in the water, but he said a lifeguard told him, "There's nothing you can do.". According to the police report, Caleb Schwab died of a neck injury and was decapitated while riding the 168-foot Verruckt water slide. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. We are obviously disappointed and respectfully disagree with the courts decision, the statement said, adding that prosecutors would take a fresh look at the evidence and applicable law in this tragic and troubling case to determine the best course forward.. The slide's name means "insane" in German. Verruckt was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. "You don't think you're gonna die.". Sara Craig, who took her 14-year-old son and his friend to the park on Wednesday said: "I feel guilty having fun when a family is hurting so badly.. The Verrckt slide in Kansas is billed as the world's tallest water slide. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Celebrities Who Have Proudly Posted Naked Photos, MAFS Season 15 Star Lindy Announces Divorce From Miguel: Split Details, 'OutDaughtered' Star Danielle Busby's Transformation From Wife to Mom, What Your Favorite Celebs Are Doing This Week, Indio Downey Releases Life-Affirming Music Video for 'September', Jordyn Woods Reflects on How Pressures of Fame, Scrutiny Affect Her, Jordyn Woods on Her Future With BF Karl-Anthony Towns: Special Person, Inside the Gabby Petito Case: From Disappearance to Homicide to Lawsuit, Sister Wives Kody, Robyn Were With a Mystery Blonde: Identity Revealed, Megan Fox and MGK's Relationship Is 'Toxic': 'There Is Concern for Her', Farrah Abraham Slams Mom-Shamers Over Daughter Sophias Piercings. , careless and lacked expertise to design a thrill ride serious issue with latest... Form of cookies the devastating incident on the ride means & quot insane. 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