It was advertised as the tallest waterslide in the world.
Standing 52 meters (170 feet) above the ground, this massive attraction promised an unforgettable rush. Riders had to climb 264 steps before reaching the top, where they would climb onto a raft and begin a terrifying plunge toward the bottom.
But behind the excitement was a dangerous design flaw that would turn this record breaking attraction into a tragedy.
The waterslide was called Verrückt, a German word meaning “crazy” or “insane.” When it opened at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, it immediately gained attention for its enormous size and extreme drop.
However, the ride had a serious problem. During testing, rafts traveling down the slide could become airborne after hitting certain sections of the track.
To prevent riders from being thrown off, the designers installed safety netting supported by metal poles around the slide. It appeared to be a solution, but the system had a deadly weakness.
In 2016, 10 year old Caleb Schwab boarded the ride with two other passengers. As the raft accelerated down the slide, it reached the top of a hill and lifted into the air.
The raft’s movement caused Caleb to be thrown upward toward the protective netting. He struck one of the metal support poles, causing fatal injuries. The other two riders suffered severe facial injuries, including a broken jaw and facial fractures.
Investigators later discovered that several factors may have contributed to the accident.
Caleb weighed approximately 33.5 kilograms (74 pounds), and he was placed at the front of the raft instead of between the two heavier passengers. This created an uneven weight distribution that may have affected how the raft moved during the ride.
There were also concerns about the safety systems used on Verrückt. Experts stated that the ride should have included stronger restraints and additional mechanisms designed to keep the raft from lifting away from the track.
After the tragedy, the waterslide was permanently closed. The incident led to legal action, and Caleb Schwab’s family reached a settlement with Schlitterbahn and other companies involved in the design and operation of the attraction.
Verrückt became a reminder that extreme attractions require extreme attention to safety. A ride can look impressive, break records, and attract thousands of visitors, but even a small mistake in design or operation can have devastating consequences.
The tallest waterslide in the world was built to create excitement. Instead, it became a warning about what happens when safety is not treated as the most important part of the experience.
