A Day at the Park Turns Fatal
In 2016, 10-year-old Caleb Schwab visited Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City with his family. While riding the Verrückt, once the world’s tallest waterslide, Caleb was thrown into a netted section supported by metal poles. The force of impact tragically decapitated him.
A Brother’s Trauma
Caleb’s older brother, Nathan, witnessed the aftermath. “He was screaming: ‘He flew from the Verrückt, he flew from the Verrückt,’” their mother, Michele, recalled. Security stopped her from approaching, warning, “Trust me, you don’t want to go any further.”
Aftermath and Legal Action
The Schwabs later settled with the park’s owners and the raft manufacturer. They continued to pursue claims against the Texas-based construction company and a consultant who approved the slide.
A Park Shut Down Forever
Following the accident, Schlitterbahn permanently closed in 2018. The Verrückt slide was dismantled shortly after. “We are heartbroken,” the park said. “We are parents and grandparents ourselves.”
Conclusion
Caleb’s death remains a haunting reminder of the dangers of thrill rides pushed beyond safety limits.
