Boy, 12, dies on Verrückt slide at Schlitterbahn water park in KCK
A 12-year-old boy died Sunday afternoon on the tallest water slide in the world, the Verrückt, at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kan.
A park spokeswoman confirmed the death at a news conference Sunday afternoon. Schlitterbahn shut down after the accident and will remain closed Monday. The slide will be closed pending a full investigation.
“We are saddened to share that a young boy died on Verrückt this afternoon,” said Winter Prosapio, corporate director of communications for Schlitterbahn. “Given that safety is our first priority we have closed our Kansas City park and have closed the ride pending a full investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”
Prosapio could not say whether the boy fell from the 17-story ride and she could not even say what time Sunday afternoon the incident occurred.
“We’ll have more details for you and we will share them,” she said, “but right now our focus is with the family.”
Off-duty Kansas City, Kan., police officers working security at the park called in the incident at 2:34 p.m. The police are working with the park on the investigation.
Verrückt opened in July 2014. Its German name means “insane.”
Riders must be at least 54 inches tall and are supposed to be at least 14 years old. It was not immediately clear why as 12-year-old was on the slide.
Riders sit in a three-person raft and are secured with straps across the waist and shoulders, like a seat belt. The chute drops 168 feet, 7 inches, and the raft hits speeds of 60 to 70 mph.
The opening of the Verrückt was delayed several times as the development team made adjustments.
From what I have read on Twitter it seems that a small child (12 years old) was decapitated while riding Verruckt. But, it's Twitter, so it's not that reliable.
I remember watching the TV show last year of them building it and having to re-profile it a couple of times due to the dummies flying out of the tube and chute. I have to admit that this slide does look freaking crazy scary!
I will be curious to know if this was a ride malfunction or another instance of someone not following park rules and regulations.
Also from Twitter, witnesses are reporting that the harness system wasn't functioning properly prior to the accident. My thoughts are with the boy's family and anyone who witnessed this.
That poor boy had his whole life left to live. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and others involved, and I hope that they can prevent this from happening again.
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