Month: August 2016

Some KCK residents think Schlitterbahn should reopen water slide

Should the Schlitterbahn Verruckt, the world’s tallest water slide, be reopened following a fatal accident on Sunday?

Several residents were asked that question before the town hall meeting started tonight at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd, Kansas City, Kan.

The water slide will be closed for the rest of this season, Schlitterbahn announced today. Plans were not announced today for next season. Parts of the Schlitterbahn water park will reopen to guests at noon Wednesday.

“After further inspections and making some changes, I think it should be allowed,” Dixie Kaster said. “It needs to be tested more.”

She added her grandkids have gone down the water slide and never had any problems.

A resident who didn’t want her name to be used said, “No. Somebody lost their child. I don’t think so.”

Another resident, Sandy Brewer, said, “It should be reopened, but you should be 21 to ride it.”

Donna Ready, a resident, said there have been thousands of people who have gone down the slide, and she thinks this was just a freak accident. “I feel bad for the family,” she added.

Rala Mahdi, a resident, said, “I’ve never been out there, and don’t plan on going there, and if I went I wouldn’t ride that. They need more safety features.” She mentioned a seat belt with a metal clamp. “They need to be on top of safety.”

Lou Braswell said the water slide has been operating for two years and this has been the first real accident. “Maybe they need to change their guidelines,” she said. She added she would still go to the water park, but she wouldn’t ride the Verruckt.

Schlitterbahn to reopen Wednesday without Verruckt ride

The Schlitterbahn water park at 94th and State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan., will reopen at noon on Wednesday, without the Verruckt ride, according to an announcement today from Schliterbahn officials.

A Schlitterbahn spokesman today stated that Verruckt, the water slide that was the site of a fatal accident on Sunday, will not reopen for the remainder of this season. A 10-year-old boy, Caleb Schwab, died of neck injuries on the ride on Sunday, according to a statement from the police on Monday.

Kansas law requires the ride to be shut down until it passes further inspections.

“Here at Schlitterbahn we continue to pray and keep in our thoughts everyone impacted by the tragic events on Sunday and we are keeping the Schwab family in our prayers. A limited portion of our Kansas City park will open for guests at noon on Wednesday. Verrückt will not re-open for the remainder of the season,” the Schlitterbahn spokesman said in a news update.

The Schlitterbahn spokesman stated no interviews will be granted to journalists.

The Kansas Department of Labor also issued a news release today, stating that it has requested documentation from the Schlitterbahn water park “to ensure all safety requirements have been followed.”

The KDOL also stated: “The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and Secretary Lana Gordon wish to extend our continued thoughts and prayers to the Schwab family during this incredibly difficult time. Safety reviews and regulatory compliances fall to various entities. State law and regulations require that amusement parks perform annual safety inspections by safety officials licensed by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials. KDOL has the authority to ‘conduct random’ inspections of the records and certificates of inspection, along with any other documentation related to statutory compliance. All occurrences of serious injury resulting from the operation of an amusement ride require that the ride be immediately discontinued by the park pending further inspection. KDOL is acting to ensure full compliance with this and other provisions of the act and associated administrative regulations.”