Tragedy has struck a family in Kansas.
According to CBS affiliated KCTV, a 10-year old boy named Caleb Schwab died on Sunday after riding the Verruckt, a ride Schlitterbahn Water Park.
The name of the ride used the German word for “insane” in its title and the ride itself has been dubbed the World’s Tallest Water Slide by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The structure stands 168 feet and seven inches tall.
Police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan confirmed the sad incident last night, but was unable to offer any details regarding Caleb’s passing.
The victim has been identified as the son of a Kansas lawmaker Scott Schwab, who released a statement with his wife Michele soon after the horrible news went public.
It reads as follows:
Michele and I want to thank the Olathe and Kansas City, Kansas communities and all of our friends and family for their outpouring of support and compassion as it relates to the sudden loss of our son, Caleb Thomas Schwab.
Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with. As we try to mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in our Savior Jesus, and they are forever together now.
We will see him another day.
Your continued prayers are welcome and appreciated. We appreciate your understanding of our family’s need for privacy during this difficult time of grieving.
Here is a look at the slide in question:
House Speaker Ray Merrick told The Kansas City Star that Schwab’s family was “the center of his world.”
In a press conference on Sunday afternoon, a spokeswoman for the water park said the park’s rides are inspected every day and are checked by independent inspection agencies at the start of the season.
In a subsequent Tweet, Police Chief Terry Zeigler referred to the death as an accident.
Water park officials say Schlitterbahn will be closed Monday, while the Verrückt will remain closed pending a complete investigation.
The official website for the park says riders of the slide are “blasted up a second massive hill and then sent down yet another gut wrenching 50 foot drop for the ultimate in water slide thrills” after the initial ascent.
The website adds that the two to three riders per raft must have a combined weight between 400 and 550 pounds and all riders must also be at least 54 inches tall.
We send our condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Caleb during this impossible time.
