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Lawmaker's Young Son Dies on 'World's Largest' Water Slide
ABC News ^ | August 8, 2016

Posted on 08/08/2016 11:19:01 AM PDT by Wolfie

Lawmaker's Young Son Dies on 'World's Largest' Water Slide

he young son of a Kansas state lawmaker died Sunday on a water slide that is billed as the world's largest, according to officials and the boy's family.

Authorities did not immediately identify the child who died at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, but state Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife released a statement saying it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab.

"Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with," said the statement, which asked for privacy as the family grieves.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the child died on one of the park's main attractions, Verruckt, a 168-foot-tall water slide that has 264 stairs leading to the top.

Verruckt, which means "insane" in German, was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 54 inches tall, according to the park's website.

Officials haven't provided specific details about what led to Caleb's death. Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman Officer Cameron Morgan said he did not have any information, and Prosapio said more details would be released later.

"We honestly don't know what's happened," she told reporters at a news conference. "That's why ... a full investigation is necessary. We have to understand what's happened."

The park will be closed Monday, and the ride will be closed pending the investigation, Prosapio said.

Authorities initially said the victim was 12 years old, but Clint Sprague, a pastor who is acting as a spokesman for the family, said Caleb was 10.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Kansas
KEYWORDS: kansas; schlitterbahn; themeparks
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To: Jonah Hex

Traction Park was great; we were signing releases as minors in high school and nobody even blinked an eye...


81 posted on 08/08/2016 1:42:44 PM PDT by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
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To: kearnyirish2; Jonah Hex

Short Action Park documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFrgXqYCgys


82 posted on 08/08/2016 2:15:00 PM PDT by Wolfie
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To: Wolfie

Very sad. RIP.


83 posted on 08/08/2016 4:40:36 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: Wolfie
We will always have thrill seekers. A hundred years ago, people were shooting themselves out of cannons and sealing themselves into barrels to go over Niagara Falls.

Occasionally somebody dies seeking a thrill. I thought for sure that free-fall jumper the other week was going to miss his target. But he made it. Next time, it will be from a greater height and onto a smaller target.


84 posted on 08/08/2016 5:00:14 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (It is a wise man who rules by the polls but it is a fool who is ruled by them)
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To: Wolfie

That’s great; thanks! The Tarzan swing was the first time I’d seen anything like that; the cliff jump was great as well.


85 posted on 08/08/2016 5:26:21 PM PDT by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
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To: sagar
If the ride’s age requirement was 12 and the boy was indeed 10...

I wonder, did dad use the "Do you know who I am" speech to get an exemption to the rules?

86 posted on 08/08/2016 5:33:34 PM PDT by JimRed (Is it 1776 yet? TERM LIMITS, now and forever! Build the Wall, NOW!)
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To: Wolfie

Needed to have each “raft” locked into tracks or rails on the side, with the water underneath. Then it would be a true hybrid roller coaster / water slide, and a safe one.


87 posted on 08/08/2016 5:39:31 PM PDT by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
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To: steve86

I can tell you I like scary/thrilling rides, but would have had the good sense not to go near the ride with the combination of height and steepness and unconstrained rafts. It was about four times too high and 20 degrees too steep for loose rafts.


88 posted on 08/08/2016 5:45:58 PM PDT by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
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To: hsmomx3
Oh, dear God. This is soooo sad. I think these slides are ridiculous.

I think fear is a universal survival mechanism, but only adult humans can grasp the implications of choices, and the possible unintended consequences.

I always considered myself a closet wus, but I overcame the fear and spent enough hours to learn to fly and land a small plane a couple of dozen times. Then I walked away (got married, actually.)

That first solo landing was unplanned (by me) unexpected and literally unforgettable.

89 posted on 08/08/2016 7:22:35 PM PDT by publius911 (IMPEACH HIM NOW evil, stupid, insane ignorant or just clueless, doesn't matter!)
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To: publius911

Good for you for overcoming your fear!


90 posted on 08/08/2016 8:42:29 PM PDT by hsmomx3 (TRUMP 2016)
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To: C210N

I wonder if there is an elevator in that central support?

Good grief, not sure I could make it to the top without numerous rest breaks.


91 posted on 08/09/2016 7:49:02 AM PDT by hattend (Firearms and ammunition...the only growing industries under the Obama regime.)
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To: C210N

You couldn’t PAY me to ride that thing!

There will be an issue about a 10 year old vs 12 year old riding. Probably there was a posting about age and height. Sad story, very sad.


92 posted on 08/09/2016 7:51:58 AM PDT by EDINVA
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