Boy Decapitated On World's Tallest Water Slide

The video you're about to watch is a heartbreaking account of the tragic death of Caleb Thomas Schwab. Caleb was just 10 years old when he lost his life in a horrific accident at a water park in Kansas.

The video recounts the events that led to Caleb's untimely passing, including the faulty design of the water slide and the lack of safety measures in place. You'll hear from witnesses who were at the park that day and learn about the impact that Caleb's death had on the community.

While the subject matter is difficult to watch, it's important to remember Caleb's story and to raise awareness about the importance of safety regulations in public spaces. Our thoughts are with Caleb's family and loved ones.

Disclaimer:

[darkrealities]

I need to correct a mistake I made during the narration. At 4:03, I said 'between two women who weighed significantly more than him, ' but what I actually meant to say was 'in front of two women who weighed significantly more than him.' Thank you.

[KrissiCreates]

I remember this so well. My son and Caleb's Father are friends. My son told me about it and was in tears ! Broke our hearts for this family. Rest easy Caleb !

[linday]

No amount of money can replace that poor baby that lost his life. Rip little one

[quiltqueen]

I remember this VIVIDLY. I was there a week before and MY child wanted to go on that damn thing but the line was long and I told her "no". She was about Caleb's size. It still to this day causes BOTH of us to freeze up little when the subject comes up cause the long line is what saved her. There were MULTIPLE problems that could have easily been solved with better restraints or a better design or a better raft but it was cheaper to injure people and pay a settlement until they killed that poor boy. They really should have been charged with criminal negligence be they had been warned multiple times of the issues. To this day it's still a very tough topic for Kansas City.

[garyhall]

This was a very terrible accident. I still remember this. It affected the whole greater KC area. Truly a tragedy. They removed the whole park and to this day nothing has been built on this sight.

[chimom]

This little angel was taken too soon, neglectfully. What a tragedy. Never should have happened.

[misterpeppercorn]

No one could ever pay me enough money to go on any of these types of rides!

[kencurtis]

This is really disturbing. We don’t live that far from there and when my son was younger he was obsessed with theme parks and water parks and we went to many, many of them. Not sure why we never went to this one but if we had, we would have definitely been on that slide multiple times. As an engineer, I’m shocked how little engineering is actually done at these parks.

[couchwarrior]

This is why you don't ride janky ass amusement park rides. EVER.

[melanieparchman]

I will always remember this. To this day I’m scared of all rides, water or not, for me and my kids. Just horrific. Him and his family will always be in my thoughts. He’d be 17 now ready to finish High School.

[FDguy]

From one Caleb to another, rest in peace buddy. Btw, things are different now. Thanks to you. We're all a bit safer.

[scottwooldridge]

20 million is a slap on the hand. Damn judge should have bankrupted that damn park.

[doylejodi]

Lifelong trauma for every witness but especially the family. Tragic for the poor boy who had his whole life ahead of him.

[jaynemarcum]

I’m sorry but a child of that age shouldn’t have been on a water slide of that height ! Looked like it was dangerous enough for an adult to be on

[ThirdPlays]

This was caused by negligence….RIP Caleb. The Verruckt (I believe is how it’s spelt idk I’m not German) was a disaster waiting to happen. Thanks for covering this disaster. It’s one that should continue to be remembered.

[michelleschrock]

I'm not an engineer but even i can see that the design of the slide is not a good idea. When i saw the netting i was sure that it didn't take long for accidents to happen. And it happened like i imagine it but way worse. Rest in heaven young one. I can't imagine the horror of the parents that they realized that they just lost their boy because of the design of the slide.

[jeffzebert]

You were absolutely correct in saying that the rafts on the Verruckt should have had an upstop mechanism such as upstop wheels, as that would have prevented those rafts from flying off the slide.

[snapthat]

I remember reading that a man on scene physically stopped Caleb’s mother from getting closer to the slide so she wouldn’t see her son. No mother should have to see her child like that.

[lidiadegouveia]

Hear retching, precious boy lost his life in a horrendous way, I don't want to imagine the agony the parents are going through, so unpredictable what life has in store for each and everyone of us, poor angel may he be in heaven happy and healthy.

[brendaheim]

To the family, very sorry for your loss of your beautiful angel son 🙏