Kansas lawmaker’s son, 10, dies on world’s tallest water slide

The 10-year-old son of a Kansas state representative from Olathe died Sunday afternoon on the tallest water slide in the world, the Verrückt, at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kan.

A park spokeswoman confirmed the death at a news conference Sunday afternoon. Schlitterbahn shut down after the accident and will remain closed Monday. The slide will be closed pending a full investigation.

Caleb Schwab was the son of Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife, Michele, who issued a statement Sunday night.

“Michele and I want to thank the Olathe and Kansas City, Kan., communities and all 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 who he came into contact with,” the statement continued. “As we try to mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in his Savior, Jesus, and they are forever together now. We will see him another day.”

Riders on the Verrückt are supposed to be at least 54 inches tall and at least 14 years old. It was not immediately clear why a 10-year-old was on the slide.

The spokeswoman for Schlitterbahn offered very little information Sunday afternoon.

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

Prosapio could not say whether the boy fell from the 17-story ride or was aboard when fatally wounded.

“We’ll have more details for you and we will share them,” she said, “but right now our focus is with the family.”

“We honestly don’t know what’s happened,” Prosapio continued. “That’s why a full investigation is necessary. We have to understand what’s happened. The fire department, of course, is here. (An) outside, inside investigation will be under way and it will be a complete one.... To be honest, this is not something we’ve experienced.”

Off-duty Kansas City, Kan., police officers working security at the park called in the incident at 2:34 p.m. The police are working with the park on the investigation. Police Chief Terry Zeigler said police are working it as an accident.

“Our deepest condolences go to the family, very sad situation,” Zeigler said in an email.

Unified Government Mayor Mark Holland also issued a statement extending his thoughts and prayers to the family.

Scott Schwab, a Republican, was first elected to the Kansas house in 2003.

“The primary reason for my desire to serve in the Kansas House is to help create an economic environment for kids like mine to have a future here in Kansas,” Schwab said while running for reelection in 2014.

People hugging and crying packed the Schwab home in Olathe on Sunday night.

Erin Davis, another state representative from Olathe, was among them.

“It’s just a tragedy and our hearts are all broken for the family,” she said.

Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., tweeted, “My thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Scott Schwab and his family at this devastating time.”

Sunday was elected officials day at Schlitterbahn, and many lawmakers were at the park.

“They are an amazing, resilient family, full of faith,” said Clint Sprague, lead pastor of Life Mission Church, who has known Caleb’s parents since they were in college. “They are just grieving their loss right now.”

Sprague described Caleb as a sports enthusiast who played soccer and was involved in his church. Funeral arrangements had not been made.

Verrückt opened in July 2014. Its German name means “insane.”

Riders sit in a three-person raft and are secured with straps across the waist and shoulders, like a seat belt. The combined weight of riders per raft must be between 400 and 550 pounds. Riders are weighed at the bottom of the tower and again at the top.

There are 264 steps to the top and call boxes for emergencies.

The chute drops 168 feet, 7 inches, and the raft hits speeds of 60 to 70 mph. After the initial drop the raft climbs a five-story hill before coming to a stop.

The list of rules for riders includes admonitions to remain seated and to hold onto the raft handles at all times.

Prosapio said all rides at Schlitterbahn are inspected by employees every day and are inspected by an outside party prior to the start of the season.

The initial opening of the Verrückt was delayed several times as the development team made adjustments. Mayor Holland attended the grand opening.

Also at the opening was Jeff Henry, a co-owner of Schlitterbahn and designer of the Verrückt.

The ride is covered in netting because the sides of the chute are low so the riders can see out.

“It’s nice to always know that nobody’s ever going to come out of the ride,” Henry said on opening day.

Information about the Verrückt was removed from Schlitterbahn’s website Sunday evening.

This story was originally published August 7, 2016 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Kansas lawmaker’s son, 10, dies on world’s tallest water slide."