Boy Who Died On World's Tallest Waterslide Suffered Neck Injury

Caleb Schwab, 10, died Sunday and was the son of a Kansas lawmaker.

A 10-year-old boy died Sunday on the world's tallest waterslide at Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas after suffering a neck injury, officials said.

On Monday, autopsy results showed he died of a neck injury.

Officers working an apparent accident death investigation at Schlitterbahn. No other details at this time.

Caleb was on the water slide with two women, KSHB reported. They sustained minor facial injuries, and he was found at the bottom of the slide with a fatal neck injury, police said.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the park closed immediately out of respect for the boy's family, as well as to give staff time to cope.

"This is not something we’ve experienced," she said.

The park planned to reopen Wednesday, although the water slide would remain closed.

All rides had been inspected by an outside party before the start of the summer season, and park said staff inspect them daily.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time," Prosapio said.

The Schwab family was at the park on Sunday as part of elected officials day, the Star reported. Lawmakers and their families received free entry and lunch, and many local officials turned out for the day.

The 168-foot-tall Verrückt waterslide is the tallest in the world and opened in 2014.

The slide required unprecedented engineering and its opening date was delayed for months in 2014.

vimeo.com

An original five-story design was modified after rafts went flying into the air.

"It's dangerous, but it's a safe dangerous now," Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today in 2014. "Schlitterbahn is a family water park, but this isn't a family ride. It's for the thrill seekers of the world, people into extreme adventure."

The company also owns water parks in Texas.

Skip to footer