by Mary Rupert
Questions about inspections of the Schlitterbahn’s Verruckt ride have surfaced following a fatal accident that took the life of an Olathe boy, Caleb Schwab, on Sunday afternoon.
The world’s tallest water slide, 168 feet 7 inches, opened in Kansas City, Kan., and has been running for two years. It has been closed since the accident on Sunday. The Schlitterbahn water park also has been closed, and was expected to stay closed for a few days, according to park officials. The park is tentatively scheduled to reopen Wednesday, but the Verruckt water slide will not reopen at that time, according to a statement.
Two or three persons are required for each raft on the Verruckt, and there is a minimum height and weight requirement.
After a steep drop in a raft, the riders go up a hill on the water slide and then land in a pool. The riders are secured by a safety belt, including a shoulder strap and seat belt around the waist, secured by a hook-and-loop (like Velcro) fastener. Riders slide through a tube that is open at the top. Netting is over the top and sides of the tube that riders slide through. The spaces in the netting are coarse enough to put a finger through but not large enough to put an adult hand through.
A Schlitterbahn spokesman said today that all rides are inspected daily by personnel before the park opens.
Under Kansas laws, inspections of amusement rides are required, but they can be self-inspections.
“An amusement ride erected at a permanent location in this state shall be self-inspected by a qualified inspector at least every 12 months,” according to Kansas law.
Under a self-inspection, the company may hire an outside inspector who inspects the ride once a year. The Kansas Department of Labor, which is in charge of overseeing safety of amusement rides, is allowed to conduct random inspections of amusement rides, the state law says. However, the law doesn’t set any required number of state inspections that must be performed per year by the state.
A spokesman for the Kansas Department of Labor today issued a statement: “The Kansas Department of Labor and Secretary Lana Gordon would like to express their deepest sympathies to the Schwab Family during this incredibly difficult time. KDOL is reviewing the matter and will exercise appropriate authority under relevant Kansas statute and administrative regulations, as they pertain to public safety.”
Edwin Birch, a spokesman for the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County, stated that the UG does not conduct inspections on water park or theme park rides.
The UG inspects the structural components according to the requirements of the International Building Code, Birch stated. “The UG will look at things like the safety of stairs and stair railing, the foundation and concrete. Third-party inspections are required per the IBC for structural welding/bolting. These are generally performed by a testing agency, as they have the specialized equipment and training,” Birch stated.
The UG inspects projects to ensure they are constructed according to the documents provided by the design professional, he stated.
Verruckt’s opening was delayed about a month in 2014 while adjustments were being made, according to past news stories. (https://wyandotteonline.com/new-schlitterbahn-water-slide-opening-postponed-again/)
Today, a Schlitterbahn spokesman issued a statement:
“We are deeply and intensely saddened for the Schwab Family and all who were impacted by the tragic accident on the Verrückt water slide at Schlitterbahn Kansas City on Sunday afternoon.
“The family and each and every one of those affected are foremost on our minds and in our hearts today. We ask the community to please keep all of those impacted in your thoughts and prayers.
“The primary investigation is being conducted by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. All questions regarding the investigation should be directed to law enforcement.
“Grief counselors are being provided at Schlitterbahn Kansas City for employees and guests. Anyone impacted can contact us at 913-312-3091 to schedule a visit with a grief counselor.
“Safety is our top priority at Schlitterbahn. All rides are inspected daily before opening.”
In a statement Monday evening, a Kansas City, Kan., police spokesman said the incident was still under investigation, and the police department will not be giving any interviews or news conferences on it.
According to police, they and firefighters responded to an emergency call about 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Schlitterbahn water park, and found the 10-year-old boy dead from a neck injury at the end of the ride, in the pool.
Two adults were also in the same raft with the boy, they received minor facial injuries and were taken to the hospital, the police spokesman said. The two adult women were not related to the boy.