The Latest on the investigation in to the death of a boy killed while riding a waterslide in Kansas City, Kansas (all times local):
9:10 a.m.
A 10-year-old boy was decapitated as he rode a waterslide at a Kansas water park.
A person who is familiar with the investigation but is not authorized to speak about the boy’s death told The Associated Press Wednesday that Caleb Schwab was decapitated Sunday on the “Verruckt” ride at the Schlitterbahn WaterPark in Kansas City, Kansas.
Caleb, the son of a Kansas lawmaker, was in a raft with two adults who were not related to him when he was killed on the 168-foot tall ride. The other two were treated for facial injuries.
A spokeswoman for the waterpark declined to discuss the circumstances of the boy’s death.
“Verruckt” is German for insane.
(Associated Press writer Maria Sudekum contributed to this report.)
2 a.m.
At least two people who’ve ridden the waterslide on which a 10-year-old boy was killed over the weekend say shoulder straps snapped or popped off during the ride in Kansas City, Kansas.
Paul Oberhauser told local television station KCTV that the safety restraints on his raft on the Verruckt waterslide weren’t working properly when he rode it on July 26 at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
The Nebraska man says his shoulder strap “busted loose” during the ride and he “just held on.” A video shot by his wife shows it loose at the ride’s end. He says he told workers about the loose strap.
Kenneth Conrad told WDAF-TV that he rode the waterslide last year with a friend whose shoulder strap came “completely off.” Conrad’s wife snapped a photo at the end of the ride showing the strap missing. Conrad says he didn’t file a complaint with the park.
The park’s spokeswoman didn’t immediately return a message Tuesday from The Associated Press seeking comment on the claims.
-AP
