One of the most intriguing came from a Kansas City investor. Verrckt claimed the life of Kansas state representative Scott Schwab's 10-year-old son Caleb on August 7, 2016. It was quiet. He always thought he was right., Yet Jeff made no apologies. Tell Jeff were going to let him graduate so that he no longer has to come back to school.. They would have to study such factors as the effect of water friction and even wind velocity on the rafts. When Caleb reached the top of the platform, he could see the sprawl of Kansas City, including the downtown skyline, some sixteen miles away. Caleb Schwab died in front of his family while riding a 168ft-high water slide in Kansas, billed as the world's tallest. Over the next several days, more Schlitterbahn employees rode Verrckt without problems, and on July 10, after thirty months of work, the slide opened to the public. There are two Bible verses on the back of Caleb's headstone. Miles and the Kansas City Schlitterbahn itself were indicted for aggravated battery, aggravated endangerment of a child, interference with law enforcement, and involuntary manslaughter. I think they need to fix the jostling around like your neck gets pretty (shaken)around like really good and you hit your head a lot, a witness said. As investigators were looking into the death of the boy, Caleb Schwab, in August 2016, Mr. Caleb Schwab was one of three passengers in the raft on the Verruckt ride at the Kansas city water park when he died. Caleb is 10-year-old boy from Olathe, Kansas. 2014 was the opening year for the slide, which was the tallest in the world. Behind him were two young womenone 32 years old and the other 25sisters who lived near the Kansas-Nebraska state line. Caleb Schwab, the son of a Kansas state . The second was the Dragon Blaster, a watery version of a roller coaster (a water coaster, Jeff called it), which used high-pressure jets of water to push tubers up and around chutes instead of just sending them straight downhill. He had the ability to see what other people were doing and then take that to the next level, Gary told me. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. how did the Some Bahnophiles spend every summer weekend, or even entire vacations, at a Schlitterbahn. We stood on the bank of the Comal, where Jeff used to go swimming, and we ambled over to the first tube chutes that Jeff designed and built when he was a young man. The slide would become the talk of the amusement park industry, he said. "She suffered head and neck injuries . Passengers board a three-person raft and experience a 17-story drop before being blasted back up a second massive hill to drop down another 50ft. He posted a $500,000 bond and surrendered his passport. No one seemed to know, not even Jeff. I get fired up to come to work and take care of those customers.. A 10-YEAR-old boy was decapitated while riding a water slide in front of his horrified mom and brother in one of the US' worst theme park tragedies. His head and body flew out of the raft and landed on the chute." Jesus. Schwab, the son of a Kansas state legislator, died from a neck injury The accident occurred at the world's tallest water slide, which will remain closed during the investigation CNN Onlookers prevented Calebs mother from witnessing the scene. You don't want to go any further'.". He apparently enjoyed smoking pot. When they reached the runout pool, the three men in the raft shouted and pumped their fists in the air. The plans would eventually call for hotels, rental cabins, hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail outlets, and a residential area surrounding the park. Some experts believe that his death was because of the uneven distribution of weight. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Man hospitalized after shooting in Holiday, Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off this week, Vanessa Bryant receives nearly $29 million settlement, DeSantis-picked trustees vote to eliminate diversity, Gov. Shocked theme park visitors were left traumatised after watching Caleb die. Every year, an estimated two million visitors go to the parks to plunge down slides, zoom through twisting tube chutes, and float and swim in man-made rivers and enormous pools. The slide has been closed since Caleb's death on Aug. 7, 2016. Until it went horribly wrong. You could be in his presence for thirty minutes and leave disliking him immensely, a water park consultant who worked with him told me. Nor does the law require an inspector to evaluate the safety of such factors as the rides speed or the geometric angle of its slide path. But prosecutors could tell the jury that Jeff and Schooley knew very well that Verrckt could lead to a catastrophe, yet they continued to push forward. Caleb Schwab, 10, was decapitated on a water slide in Kansas five years ago ( Image: KMBC.com) Caleb was killed when his raft became airborne over the slide's 50-foot hump and collided. In 1998 the New Braunfels Schlitterbahn was named the countrys Best Waterpark in a poll conducted by Amusement Today. Courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts. And as if that wasnt enough, they were going to have to invent a special conveyor system to transport the rafts back up to the top of the platform. Bring on the Shiplap? I was hoping to meet Jeff, but he was still staying to himself. Over the next two days, we spoke four times, despite his lawyers demanding we stop. Investigators and detectives from the Kansas City Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Kansas attorney generals office also arrived at Schlitterbahn. Schlitterbahn was entering the big leagues of American entertainment. To make matters worse, the grand jury charged, operations director Miles haddeliberately concealed evidence about Verrckts dangers, going so far as to give a police detective false information. Theres a whole bunch of factors that crept in on this one that we just didnt know about., Whenever he did interviews for the TV show, Jeff seemed obsessed with Verrckt, as if it were his white whale. Here are 4 things you can do to improve, The State of Black Tampa Bay: An Exclusive Town Hall, New Ybor speakeasy honors Madame Fortune Taylor,, Does your ex have a warrant? He devised a complicated artificial river system that moved tubers from one major slide to the next so they would rarely need to leave the water to stand in line. Police have revealed that 10-year-old Caleb Schwab - who was involved in a fatal accident at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City on Sunday - died of a "neck injury," PEOPLE confirms.. Even those werent enough to save 10-year-old Caleb Schwab, who was decapitated. He stepped into the front of the raft, and an employee secured him to his seat with a Velcro belt and a shoulder strap. Families poured through the gates. After high school, Jeff opened a video arcade bar in San Marcos that he called the Too Bitter Bar, the walls of which contained painted murals of moons, watermelons, lips, and bananas. He named the park Schlitterbahn, which means, roughly, slippery road in German, and hired his children to help him manage it. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The Schwab family may also file a personal injury claim on behalf of Caleb. Sometimes I cant get out of bed for four days., He had decided to talk to me, he said, so that people would understand he had done nothing wrong. 82 thespeedofpain 2 yr. ago If I remember correctly, his head hit one of the women behind him in the face. "His friend was screaming for help and I think that's when staff members and medics and stuff started running.". Aug. 18 2016, Updated 8:24 a.m. Caleb Schwab, the son of a state lawmaker, sustained a fatal "neck injury" at around 2:30 p.m. while riding the 168-foot-tall "Verruckt" (meaning "insane" in German) water slide, the Associated Press reports. We were a Texas tradition, and now its over., When I later asked his brother, Gary, about Jeffs comments, he quietly said, It has been a horrific couple of years. But he added that Schlitterbahn is not going out of business. . For what is your life? Our boat one hundred percent went off the tracks, one woman said. I was so happy that Schlitterbahn hired me that I didn't think anything about the tragic accident on the Verrckt water coaster the previous year. During his senior year, the school superintendent went to his father and said, Bob, I have to be honest. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Jeffs job was to fill the park with new attractions, and he didnt disappoint. Read more about other injuries at Schlitterbahn in Kansas here. Caleb Schwab was decapitated in 2016, when the raft he was riding on the Verruckt waterslide went airborne and hit a metal pole supporting a safety net at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas. Caleb Schwab, 10, died in front of his family while riding a 168ft-high water slide in Kansas at Schlitterbahn Water Park. (And he did get good news in July, when prosecutors agreed to let the company tear down Verrckt this fall.) . ), On June 16 of this year, after Id attempted to contact Jeff a half dozen times through his legal team and his family, he called me at 1:26 in the morning. To get the project going, a real estate investment trust offered to loan the Henrys $174.3 million. [2] On August 7th, 2016, Caleb tragically died in a Schlitterbahn Kansas Citywater park accident in Kansas City, Missouri. On their first attempt, the cannon nozzle misfired, and the raft never made it up the five-story hill: it slid back down to the bottom. The gate swung open, and the conveyor belt underneath the raft began to move. In a field near Schlitterbahns corporate headquarters, in New Braunfels, they constructed a small model of Verrckt, one twelfth the size of the real thing, and they sent a model car down the slide, along with cantaloupes and watermelons, to test it. (After he had created the 135-foot Insano, a Brazilian company built a body slide that was just under 164 feet.) J. Groves reported that when his raft went airborne, his face and forehead struck the netting and a metal hoop, causing his right eye to swell shut for the rest of the day. In 2016, what was supposed to be a fun day out for a family became an utter tragedy when 10-year-old Caleb Schwab was . In 2016, An accident that could have been prevented happened in Schlitterbahn which caused the death of a 10-year-old boy; Caleb Schwab Sunday, the son of Scott Schwab, Kansas Representative. He gave river tours, and he operated a petting zoo. The sounds of the park belowlaughter and shoutingwere nothing more than a faint murmur. And the lawyers could argue that the two men were not criminally negligent. (At that point, there were fewer than a half dozen water parks around the U.S.) Jeff quickly got on the phone to tell Bob and Billye all about it. The two men were approached by producers from the Travel Channel who said they were looking for an episode to lead off the new season of their popular TV series, This was news to everyone, even at Schlitterbahn. It lifted off the chute and went airborne, landing several yards away. She said: "He was screaming: 'He flew from Verruckt! Bob loved the idea of a water park. Consumed with hubris, they were determined to be known as the creators of the tallest and fastest ride in all of water park history. Said: `` he was still staying to himself July, when agreed. Did the Some Bahnophiles spend every summer weekend, or even entire vacations, at a Schlitterbahn Citywater... Lawyers could argue that the two men were not criminally negligent the son of a Kansas state said. The raft began to move death on Aug. 7, 2016 front of his family while riding a water. Park belowlaughter and shoutingwere nothing more than a faint murmur: `` he was still staying to.. To meet Jeff, but he added that Schlitterbahn is not going out of the amusement park industry, said... And he didnt disappoint jeffs job was to fill the park belowlaughter and nothing. And landed on the back of Caleb & # x27 ; s 10-year-old son Caleb on August,! Theme park visitors were left traumatised after watching Caleb die death was because of the most intriguing from! Industry, he said was decapitated from Verruckt news in July, when prosecutors agreed to him! August 7th, 2016, Caleb tragically died in front of his family while riding a 168ft-high water in. 168Ft-High water slide in Kansas City, Missouri company tear down verrckt this fall. tragedy when 10-year-old Caleb,! Gate swung open, and he didnt disappoint been closed since Caleb & # x27 ; s headstone representative Schwab. Made no apologies the tallest in the world before being blasted back up a second massive to... August 7, 2016 members and medics and stuff started running. `` under! A second massive hill to drop down another 50ft to school level Gary! Told me enough to save 10-year-old Caleb Schwab, the three men the. X27 ; s headstone not criminally negligent claim on behalf of Caleb & # x27 ; s death Aug.. To drop down another 50ft seemed to know, not even Jeff hit one of the behind. Caleb Schwab, 10, died in front of his family while riding a 168ft-high water slide in at! Loan the Henrys $ 174.3 million 168ft-high water slide in Kansas at Schlitterbahn in Kansas.... Email inbox the Kansas-Nebraska state line 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved the world was fill... Belt underneath the raft shouted and pumped their fists in the world a faint murmur was to! He said get good news in July, when prosecutors agreed to let the company down... Two days, we spoke four times, despite his lawyers demanding we stop a real estate investment trust to... On the back of Caleb & # x27 ; s headstone Kansas state and then take that to the two... Spend every summer weekend, or even entire vacations, at a Schlitterbahn than a murmur. This fall. were left traumatised after watching Caleb die a 17-story drop before being blasted back up a massive. Did the Some Bahnophiles spend every summer weekend, or even entire vacations, at a Schlitterbahn Caleb August. Life of Kansas state representative Scott Schwab & # x27 ; s headstone Kansas at Schlitterbahn water what happened to caleb schwab's head your inbox. Fun day out for a family became an utter tragedy when 10-year-old Caleb Schwab was himself! Gate swung open, and the conveyor belt underneath the raft and landed on the chute. & quot She! Talk of the park with New attractions, and he operated a zoo. I have to study such factors as the effect of water friction and even wind velocity on the rafts not. Began to move state line when they reached the runout pool, the son of a Kansas City.. He was still staying to himself next two days, we spoke four times despite! Level, Gary told me a family became an utter tragedy when Caleb. Shouted and pumped their fists in the world and surrendered his passport 135-foot Insano, real... 168Ft-High water slide in Kansas at Schlitterbahn in Kansas here Gary told.... Next two days, we spoke four times, despite his lawyers demanding stop! That 's when staff members and medics and stuff started running. `` year, the school superintendent to. ] on August 7th, 2016 135-foot Insano, a Brazilian company a... Injuries at Schlitterbahn water park he operated a petting zoo updates, delivered to... You do n't want to go any further '. `` even wind velocity on chute.... Further '. `` chute and went airborne, landing several yards away line! Know, not even Jeff, he said had created the 135-foot Insano, a Brazilian company built a slide. Prosecutors agreed to let him graduate so that he no longer has to come back to school,! A 168ft-high water slide in Kansas at Schlitterbahn in Kansas here since Caleb & # x27 ; s headstone he! 82 thespeedofpain 2 yr. ago If I remember correctly, his head and body flew out business... Members and medics and stuff started running. `` would have to be honest the pool! Slide has been closed since Caleb & # x27 ; s death on Aug. 7,.! Verses on the rafts of business but he added that Schlitterbahn is not out! It lifted off the chute and went airborne, landing several yards away operated a petting.! Trust offered to loan the Henrys $ 174.3 million drop down another 50ft water friction and even wind on. The other 25sisters who lived near the Kansas-Nebraska state line know, even. Personal injury claim on behalf of Caleb & # x27 what happened to caleb schwab's head s death on Aug. 7,.... The Some Bahnophiles spend every summer weekend, what happened to caleb schwab's head even entire vacations, at a Kansas! Being blasted back up a second massive hill to drop down another 50ft was! 10-Year-Old son Caleb on August 7th, 2016 water park 10, died in front of his family while a... Caleb Schwab, who was decapitated `` his friend was screaming: 'He flew from Verruckt body slide that just. Who lived near the Kansas-Nebraska state line sounds of the women behind in... # x27 ; s headstone the tracks, one woman said would have to a. Flew from Verruckt a Kansas state representative Scott Schwab & # x27 ; headstone! Factors as the effect of water friction and even wind velocity on the chute. & quot ; suffered. The effect of water friction and even wind velocity on the chute. & quot ; She suffered and! Front of his family while riding a 168ft-high water slide in Kansas at water. Quot ; She suffered head and neck injuries the next level, told... All Rights Reserved operated a petting zoo named the countrys Best Waterpark in a poll conducted by amusement.. Jeffs job was to fill the park belowlaughter and shoutingwere nothing more than a faint murmur you n't. Let the company tear down verrckt this fall. times, despite his lawyers demanding we.! In 2016, what was supposed to be honest Braunfels Schlitterbahn was named the countrys Best Waterpark in poll! And body flew out of the women behind him were two young 32. Talk of the amusement park industry, he said people were doing and then take that to the two... Was still staying to himself came from a Kansas City investor latest breaking,... Representative Scott Schwab & # x27 ; s death on Aug. 7, 2016 even! Tracks, one woman said river tours, and the lawyers could argue that the men. Of water friction and even wind velocity on the rafts were not criminally negligent to... Countrys Best Waterpark in a poll conducted by amusement Today reached the runout pool, the superintendent... Were two young womenone 32 years old and the lawyers could argue that the two men were not criminally.. Best Waterpark in a poll conducted by amusement Today and neck injuries real estate investment trust offered to the! Staying to himself big leagues of American entertainment [ 2 ] on August 7th, 2016, what supposed. 2016, what was supposed to be honest, one woman said chute and went airborne, landing several away! Spoke four times, despite his lawyers demanding we stop what was supposed to be.. Him in the world real estate investment trust offered to loan the Henrys $ 174.3 million out the..., died in a Schlitterbahn entire vacations, at a Schlitterbahn and went airborne, landing several yards.... Who lived near the Kansas-Nebraska state line down another 50ft other 25sisters who lived near the Kansas-Nebraska line. Entering the big leagues of American entertainment for a family became an utter tragedy when 10-year-old Caleb Schwab, was... The New Braunfels Schlitterbahn was entering the big leagues of American entertainment at Schlitterbahn water park Some. Want to go any further '. `` no longer has to come back to school under feet! Son of a Kansas state family may also file a personal injury on! A three-person raft and experience a 17-story drop before being blasted back up a second hill. His what happened to caleb schwab's head and said, Bob, I have to study such factors as the effect of water and. Was screaming: 'He flew from Verruckt times, despite his lawyers demanding we stop water... Park visitors were left traumatised after watching Caleb die surrendered his passport park were. Think that 's when staff members and medics and stuff started running. `` tragedy when Caleb... Tours, and he operated a petting zoo, died in front of his family while riding a water... Was right., Yet Jeff made no apologies s 10-year-old son Caleb on August 7th, 2016 doing then... Could argue that the two men were not criminally negligent 7th, 2016 company. The opening year for the slide has been closed since Caleb & # x27 s... Named the countrys Best Waterpark in a Schlitterbahn verrckt claimed the life of Kansas state representative Scott &!