In 2016, Caleb Schwab, a 10-year-old boy, tragically died on the Verruckt waterslide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, which was once advertised as the “world’s tallest waterslide.” Caleb, along with two other riders, climbed 264 steps to reach the top of the 170-foot slide. The slide had netting supported by metal poles to keep riders safe, but during the ride, Caleb was thrown from his raft due to its speed and made contact with one of the metal poles. This resulted in a fatal neck injury, ultimately decapitating him.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as a “nightmare beyond comprehension.” Following the tragedy, a grand jury charged Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry and designer John Schooley with second-degree murder, but these charges were later dismissed. Caleb’s family reached a settlement of nearly $20 million with the companies involved. Schlitterbahn, which had never experienced such a devastating event in its 50-year history, emphasized that safety was always a top priority.
The Verruckt slide was permanently closed and dismantled in 2018, and the incident led to new safety regulations requiring state inspectors to examine amusement park attractions in Kansas. Caleb’s death remains a significant and harrowing example of the potential dangers associated with thrill rides.
