A tragic incident at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City resulted in the death of Caleb Schwab, a 10-year-old boy, during a ride on the world’s tallest water slide, Verruckt, in 2016. The accident unfolded in front of his family, leaving them devastated as Caleb was fatally injured while on the attraction. His father, Scott Schwab, a Republican lawmaker, and mother, Michelle Schwab, were present at the park when the horrific event occurred.
The Verruckt water slide, which stands at an impressive height of 168 feet and features multi-person rafts, was certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest water slide in the world. Riders experience a steep drop of 168 feet at speeds reaching 70 mph, followed by an ascent and subsequent plunge into a pool. Unfortunately, during the ascent of the second hill, Caleb’s raft became airborne, causing him to collide with a metal support beam, which led to his tragic decapitation.
Caleb had just ascended the slide with his 12-year-old brother, Nathan Schwab, moments before the accident. Nathan was the first to slide down and waited for Caleb at the bottom. In a heart-wrenching moment, Michelle recalled Nathan screaming, “He flew from Verruckt, he flew Verruckt,” as she rushed to the scene. A bystander prevented her from getting closer, intensifying her anguish.
Scott Schwab described the overwhelming shock of the situation. He asked an attendant for confirmation of his worst fear, saying, “I just need to hear you say it. Is my son dead?” The response was devastating: “Yes, your son is dead.” He later stated, “It was surreal. I don’t even remember driving home.”
Two other riders in the raft were injured during the incident. One woman suffered a broken jaw, while another sustained a facial bone fracture and required stitches. At the time, Caleb weighed just 34 kg and was seated at the front of the raft, which was carrying a combined weight of 248 kg. This weight was below the recommended limit of 250 kg, but the distribution was uneven, contributing to the tragedy.
A park employee later claimed that there was insufficient training for staff operating the rides. He noted, “The only inspections we’ve done is people riding down slides one time, saying ‘it’s fine, you’re good to go for the rest of the day.’” Disturbing footage from a documentary titled The Water Slide showcased early testing of the attraction, revealing a raft that unexpectedly became airborne.
Following the tragedy, Scott Schwab took his fight to the legislative floor, advocating for reforms in ride safety regulations that allowed Schlitterbahn to conduct its own inspections. His efforts aimed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. In early 2017, the Schwab family reached settlements totaling approximately $20 million with multiple parties, including Schlitterbahn. The details of the financial arrangements with the two other injured riders remain confidential.
The heartbreaking loss of Caleb Schwab not only affected his family but also raised significant concerns about safety standards at amusement parks. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of strict regulations to ensure the safety of all riders.
