“He Just Flew Off”—12-Year-Old’s Haunting Words After Brother’s Death on World’s Tallest Waterslide
In a heartbreaking moment that would haunt witnesses and a family forever, 10-year-old Caleb Schwab was tragically killed on what was once billed as the world’s tallest waterslide.
The Schwab family—father Scott, mother Michele, and sons Nathan and Caleb—visited Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City in 2016 for what was meant to be a fun summer day. But their joy turned to horror when Caleb boarded the park’s main attraction: Verrückt, a German word meaning “crazy.”
Towering at 168 feet and 7 inches (51.38 meters), Verrückt stood as a monument to extreme thrills. Riders would drop the equivalent of 17 stories before being propelled over a second hill 55 feet high. To keep thrill-seekers safe, the slide’s chute was enclosed in netting supported by steel poles.
But that netting would prove tragically fatal.
In a freak accident, Caleb was violently ejected from the raft, striking one of the metal support bars. The impact was so severe that he was decapitated instantly.
“It was as horrible a moment as you could imagine,” one eyewitness told Texas Monthly. “I can’t begin to describe it.”
Nathan, Caleb’s 12-year-old brother, reportedly screamed in shock and horror, struggling to comprehend the nightmare unfolding before him.
The accident sent shockwaves through the amusement park industry and sparked investigations into how such a ride had passed safety inspections. But for one family, no answer could ever undo the devastating loss of a bright, adventurous young boy.
“He Flew from the Verrückt!”: Brother’s Cries Echo After Tragic Waterslide Death of 10-Year-Old Caleb Schwab
Nathan Schwab stood at the bottom of the towering waterslide, waiting for his younger brother Caleb to emerge. But instead of laughter or splashes, his terrified voice rang out:
“He flew from the Verrückt! He flew from the Verrückt!”
Nathan, just 12 years old at the time, was the first to witness the aftermath of a tragedy that would forever shatter his family.
Their mother, Michele Schwab, recalled the horrific moment in an interview with ABC News in 2017.
“There was a gentleman who wouldn’t allow me to come close enough to see what was going on,” she said. “He just kept saying, ‘Trust me, you don’t want to go any further.’”
She stopped in her tracks, knowing deep down that no parent should ever have to see what had just happened.
Caleb, only 10, had been thrown from the ride and suffered a fatal injury when he struck a metal support pole inside the slide’s safety netting. His sudden death shocked the nation and raised serious questions about theme park safety.
In the aftermath, the Schwab family reached an undisclosed settlement with the owners of Schlitterbahn Waterpark and the raft manufacturer. However, their legal pursuit wasn’t over. Their attorneys confirmed that claims were still active against Henry & Sons, the Texas-based company responsible for constructing the slide, as well as a consultant who had approved its design.
Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts released a statement expressing sorrow:
“We are heartbroken over this tragedy. In our 50 years of operation, we’ve never faced an event like this. We are parents and grandparents ourselves, and many of us rode Verrückt with our own children. Safety has always been our top priority.”
Despite their statements, the park closed its doors permanently in September 2018.
The story of Caleb Schwab remains a chilling reminder of how quickly joy can turn into heartbreak. A tragedy that never should have happened, and a little boy whose memory will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Caleb.