Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions which some readers may find distressing.
An eyewitness has come forward after witnessing a tragic event where a 10-year-old boy was decapitated on the ‘world’s tallest waterslide’.
In 2016, Caleb Schwab and his family visited Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, known as the ‘world’s best waterpark.’ Caleb, aged 10, decided to ride the 170-foot-tall Verruckt water slide.
Caleb, along with two other riders, ascended 264 steps to reach the top of the slide. The slide had gained fame as the ‘world’s tallest’ upon its opening in 2014.
Once at the top, Caleb boarded the raft, preparing to plunge 17 storeys down the slide before being propelled over a 55-foot-tall crest.
The chute of the slide was covered with netting designed to keep riders from falling off, and it was supported by metal poles.
Unfortunately, due to the ride’s speed and motion, Caleb was ejected from the raft and collided with a metal pole, resulting in his decapitation. The Kansas City Police ruled his death as a ‘fatal neck injury at the end of the ride.’
An eyewitness later recounted the dreadful incident.
An eyewitness told Texas Monthly: “It was as horrible a moment as you could imagine.
“A nightmare beyond comprehension. I can’t begin to describe it.”
Following the incident, a grand jury charged Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry and senior designer John Schooley with second-degree murder.
However, these charges were later dismissed, and in 2017, Caleb’s family settled the case, receiving nearly $20 million from the involved companies.
At the time of Caleb’s death, Schlitterbahn made a statement to ABC News: “[The park has] never experienced this kind of devastating event [in its 50 years of operation].
“The safety of our staff and our guests is our top priority. We are parents and grandparents ourselves, and many of us had ridden Verruckt with our own children and grandchildren over the years it operated.
“At Schlitterbahn, we take safety very seriously. We support effective guidelines that increase guest and staff safety.”
The ride was permanently closed in 2016 following the accident, and by September 2018, the entire water park had been shut down and dismantled two months later.
In the wake of Caleb’s death, a law was enacted requiring state inspectors to examine amusement park attractions regularly.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010.