Caleb Schwab decapitated at Schlitterbahn's Verruckt water slide in Kansas City

(Facebook/SchlitterbahnWaterpark)10-year-old Caleb Schwab was decapitated at a water slide in Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City.

A tragedy occurred on Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City when a 10-year-old boy, Caleb Schwab, died while riding the world's tallest water slide. Caleb was the son of Kansas state Representative Scott Schwab.

Authorities have not revealed the full details regarding young Caleb's death. However, according to ABC 7 News, an eyewitness account of the incident has described that the boy appeared to have been decapitated. Esteban Castaneda told the network that he had heard loud booms emanating from the water slide, dubbed "Verruckt," which is the German word for "insane." Castaneda then saw a body slide down after the raft. A lifeguard then came, but it appeared that the damage had already been done.

Two other women were on the same raft as the young boy. The girls, who were not related to Caleb, sustained minor cuts from the tragedy. 

Verruckt measures 168 feet and 7 inches in height and consists of two drops — the first one being the height of the ride and the second measuring 50 feet, according to the waterpark's website. Riders of at least 54 inches tall are strapped into three-person rafts using Velcro and must have a combined weight of 400 to 550 pounds.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts co-owner Jeff Henry has stated that the water slide experienced many problems when it was first being made. "We had many issues on the engineering side," said Henry, calling Verruckt "dangerous, but it's a safe dangerous now," according to USA Today.

However, it seems that there are still things to be worked on as Castaneda recalls having ridden the water slide with his cousin's 14-year-old daughter on the same day. She had told him that the Velcro on her safety belt had come undone.

The Schlitterbahn Waterpark issued a statement the following day, saying it was "deeply and intensely saddened for the Schwab family and all who were impacted by the tragic incident." Verruckt will remain closed, however, the waterpark is set to reopen on Wednesday at the earliest.

The nation's thoughts and prayers are with the Schwab family.

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