10-Year-Old Boy Dies on Kansas Water Park Ride

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iStock/Thinkstock(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) — A 12-year-old boy was killed Sunday in an accident on a ride at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas, officials said.

The Verruckt ride and the entire park were closed for a full investigation, Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said.

“We are saddened to share that a young boy died on Verrückt this afternoon,” Prosapio said. “Given that safety is our first priority, we have closed the Kansas City park Sunday and Monday and have closed the ride pending a full investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”

The boy was identified as Caleb Schwab, the son of Kansas Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife Michele.

“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,” Scott Schwab said in a statement.

“Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with,” he said.

Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick sent an email to other members of the state legislature asking for their prayers for the boy’s family.

“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. “No words can express the pain we all feel for this terrible tragedy.”

Prosapio said it was not yet clear how the accident occurred, and the ride was inspected for weeks before the water park opened for the summer.

The Verruckt water slide, which is promoted as the world’s tallest water slide, opened in 2014.


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