Caleb Schwab was just 10 when he died on Verrückt, a massive waterslide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas. He was decapitated in the horrific accident. Later, his father revealed his son’s two last heartbreaking words-
Caleb Schwab was visiting the park with his family on August 7, 2016. He and his siblings had decided to ride the terrifying attraction.
At the time, the Verrückt water slide attraction was known as the world’s tallest waterslide. It stood nearly 170 feet high and reached speeds of around 70 mph.
But what was supposed to be a fun family day quickly turned into an unimaginable tragedy. Caleb’s father, Scott Schwab, later revealed the heartbreaking words he exchanged with his son moments before the ride began.
“Brothers stick together,” Scott told Caleb. His son simply replied: “I know, Dad.”
Those would be the last words Scott ever heard from his little boy. During the ride, the raft Caleb was riding became airborne and struck the safety structure above the slide. Caleb suffered fatal injuries.
Caleb Schwab, 10, died after fatal injury on ‘world’s tallest waterslide’
His older brother Nathan witnessed the horrifying accident and was later the one who told their parents what had happened. Speaking with ABC News, Caleb’s mother, Michelle, recalled her son screaming that Caleb had “flew from the Verrückt.”
“There was a gentleman who wouldn’t allow me to come close enough to see what was going on, and he just kept saying, ‘Trust me, you don’t want to go any further’. I kind of knew in my mind that I shouldn’t see it, that I probably don’t want to see it,” she continued.
Scott later described the moments that followed as surreal. He kept asking whether his son was dead, while a bystander tried to prevent Michelle from seeing what had happened.
“I kind of knew in my mind that I shouldn’t see it,” Michelle said.
The tragedy raised major questions about how the attraction was designed and operated. Investigators later raised serious concerns about the ride, and prosecutors eventually brought criminal charges against its owner and designer. Those charges were later dismissed.
Permanently closed
After the tragedy, the Schlitterbahn park released a statement, saying, “In our five decades of creating a space for families and friends to gather, we have never encountered such a devastating incident. The well-being of our staff and guests remains our utmost priority.”
It continued, “Ensuring safety has always been our foremost concern. We are dedicated to upholding effective guidelines that enhance the safety of both guests and staff members. Our safety procedures continue to be under review.”
The Verrückt was permanently closed following Caleb’s death and was eventually dismantled. Later, the family received nearly $20 million in settlements from the companies involved. However, that will, of course, never, ever, replace the young boy who had a full life ahead of him.
For Caleb’s family, the closure of the slide could not undo what happened that day. Scott’s recollection of their final exchange preserves a small, personal moment between a father and son before a family outing ended in devastating loss.
Rest in peace, Caleb.
