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NEWS
Child killed in accident on world's tallest waterslide
POSTED 08 Aug 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Caleb Thomas Schwab died while riding the record-breaking Verrückt Credit: Press Association
A boy has died after an accident on the world’s tallest waterslide at Schlitterbahn waterpark in Kansas on 7 August.

The boy, identified as Caleb Thomas Schwab – son of state representative Scott Schwab and his wife Michele – died while riding the record-breaking Verrückt, which requires two-to-three riders to be strapped in a raft with a total weight between 400 and 500 pounds.

The waterpark has released no further details surrounding the circumstances of the boy’s death, which is being investigated by Kansas state police. The waterpark has been closed for the investigation and the ride has been closed indefinitely.

Schlitterbahn first opened the ride in July 2014, which is not only the world’s tallest waterslide, but also the fastest.

Verrückt – the German word for insane – features a three-second freefall reaching speeds of around 50mph (80kph) before being launched upwards into a ‘weightless’ situation and then plummeting down once again to finish up in a splash pool. The 168ft (51.2m) slide’s opening was delayed several times, with technical glitches costing around US$1m (€734,000 £584,000) to fix.
RELATED STORIES
  World's fastest and tallest water slide opens in the US


Schlitterbahn’s newest attraction has opened at its Kansas City waterpark in the US – the world’s tallest and fastest water slide.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Child killed in accident on world's tallest waterslide
POSTED 08 Aug 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Caleb Thomas Schwab died while riding the record-breaking Verrückt Credit: Press Association
A boy has died after an accident on the world’s tallest waterslide at Schlitterbahn waterpark in Kansas on 7 August.

The boy, identified as Caleb Thomas Schwab – son of state representative Scott Schwab and his wife Michele – died while riding the record-breaking Verrückt, which requires two-to-three riders to be strapped in a raft with a total weight between 400 and 500 pounds.

The waterpark has released no further details surrounding the circumstances of the boy’s death, which is being investigated by Kansas state police. The waterpark has been closed for the investigation and the ride has been closed indefinitely.

Schlitterbahn first opened the ride in July 2014, which is not only the world’s tallest waterslide, but also the fastest.

Verrückt – the German word for insane – features a three-second freefall reaching speeds of around 50mph (80kph) before being launched upwards into a ‘weightless’ situation and then plummeting down once again to finish up in a splash pool. The 168ft (51.2m) slide’s opening was delayed several times, with technical glitches costing around US$1m (€734,000 £584,000) to fix.
RELATED STORIES
World's fastest and tallest water slide opens in the US


Schlitterbahn’s newest attraction has opened at its Kansas City waterpark in the US – the world’s tallest and fastest water slide.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
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