Schlitterbahn Kansas City

On August 7, 2016, Caleb Schwab, the 10-year-old son of Kansas state representative Scott Schwab, died while riding Verrückt. The death occurred when the raft he was in went airborne at the lower bump and impacted a metal support of the netting, decapitating him.[4][5] The other two passengers, both women, were injured in the incident — one suffered a broken jaw, while the other suffered a facial bone fracture and needed stitches.[6] In the immediate aftermath, the park was closed pending an inspection.[4][7] Although the park reopened three days later, the ride remained closed.[6][8][9]

An investigation found that the boy, who weighed 74 pounds (34 kg), had been allowed to sit in the front of the raft, rather than between the two women accompanying him — one weighed 275 pounds (125 kg), while the other weighed 197 pounds (89 kg).[10] This led to an uneven weight distribution that contributed to the raft going airborne, despite the cumulative weight of 546 pounds (248 kg), less than the maximum recommended weight of 550 pounds (250 kg).[10] Engineers who inspected the ride also commented that the ride's netting, used in areas where riders travel up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h), "posed its own hazard because a rider moving at high speeds could easily lose a limb if they hit it".[11] Their findings revealed that the use of the metal brace and netting system in the design,[12] along with the use of hook and loop straps to restrain the riders,[13] went against guidelines set by ASTM F-24 Committee on Amusement Ride and Devices.[14] According to the guidelines, Verrückt should have incorporated the use of a rigid over-the-shoulder restraint for riders,[13] and an upstop mechanism to prevent the rafts from going airborne.[15]

On June 13, 2019 Cedar Fair agreed to buy Schlitterbahn's two parks in New Braunfels and Galveston for a price of $261 million. Additionally, Cedar Fair had the option to buy the Kansas City location "for an additional $6 million" for up to 120 days.[16] Cedar Fair did not pursue purchasing the property within those 120 days and the park remains standing but not operating.

In November 2012, Schlitterbahn Waterpark announced plans for the world's tallest and fastest water slide, Verrückt.[39] Designed by Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry, Verrückt was a three-person raft slide with an uphill section. The initial drop was a 17-story plunge with a five-story uphill section. At 168 feet 7 inches (51.38 m),[40] the starting point was taller than Niagara Falls[41] and reached a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h). It opened on July 10, 2014, after multiple delays.[42]

On August 7, 2016, 10-year-old Caleb Schwab, the son of Kansas state representative Scott Schwab, was killed while riding Verrückt.[43] The ride was shut down indefinitely pending further investigation.[44][45][46] On November 22, the park announced that the ride would not reopen, and the slide would be decommissioned and torn down once the investigation was complete.[47][48]

On March 21, 2018, a Wyandotte County, Kansas grand jury indicted Schlitterbahn and three individuals, including a park co-owner, a ride designer and a former executive with the company, on multiple charges of negligence related to Schwab's death. The grand jury found there was probable cause in the accusation that the park knowingly hid design flaws with the ride, and concealed reports about rider injuries.[49][50] A judge dismissed the charges in February 2019.[51]

Demolition of the ride began on November 1, 2018.