Source: Boy decapitated on water slide

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Kan.

The 10-year-old boy killed during a ride on the world’s tallest water slide was decapitated in the accident, a person familiar with the investigation said Wednesday. Authorities have yet to explain how it happened.

The person was speaking on condition of anonymity because that person was not authorized to speak publicly about the death of Caleb Schwab on Sunday on the Verruckt raft ride at the Schlitterbahn WaterPark in Kansas City, Kan.

Two women who are not family members were also in the raft at the time and were treated for facial injuries. The boy’s parents – Republican state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife, Michele – have not spoken publicly since the death. His funeral is scheduled for Friday.

Verruckt – which in German means “insane” – featured multiperson rafts that make a 168-foot drop at speeds of up to 70 mph, followed by a surge up a hump and a 50-foot descent to a finishing pool. Since the accident, investigators have removed netting that was held in place by supports above the 50-foot section from the hump to the finishing pool.

Riders, who must be at least 54 inches tall, were harnessed with two nylon seatbelt-like straps – one that crossed the rider’s lap, the other stretching diagonally like a car shoulder seat belt. Each strap was held in place by long Velcro-style straps, not by buckles. Riders would hold ropes inside the raft.

The park reopened Wednesday except for a large section that includes the water slide, although its towering profile greeted visitors when they drove through the entrance. Access to the Verruckt was blocked by a 7-foot-high wooden fence.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio told The Associated Press outside the park’s entrance Wednesday that the company was not discussing Sunday’s tragedy out of respect for the family. She also said that she could not offer immediate perspective about how Wednesday’s turnout compared with typical attendance.