In 2016, a tragic accident occurred at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City when 10-year-old Caleb Schwab was decapitated while riding the Verrückt water slide, the world’s tallest at 168 feet. Caleb was ejected from the slide by its force, making contact with a metal pole. His 12-year-old brother Nathan, who was waiting at the bottom, screamed, “He flew from the Verrückt!” upon witnessing the horror.

The Schwab family later reached a settlement with the park’s previous owners and continued legal action against the slide’s construction company. Schlitterbahn Waterpark expressed heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing that guest safety had always been a priority. The waterpark closed in 2018.

The tragedy remains an unthinkable event, and the Schwab family’s loss is unimaginable. Rest in peace, Caleb.