KS - Caleb Schwab, 10, dies on 17-story Schlitterbahn waterpark slide, Aug 2016

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

This article has some new details in it regarding how the brothers were separated and why he was riding with adults he didn't know.

Also, some gruesome details so be aware of that.

http://sandrarose.com/2016/08/caleb-schwab-10-decapitated-on-worlds-tallest-water-slide/

Well. That article certainly doesn't leave any ambiguity about his injuries. Very hard to read.

The statements from the owner/designer from when the ride opened seem so... I dunno... Amateur? Almost flippant. Reminds me of those youtube videos where teenage boys jerry-rig coasters or waterslides off their roof. Just... amateur. And very disturbing.

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[Hatfield]

Sounds like a plan. I wonder, though, if the fast acceleration and sharp incline would mean that any cable and rings would provide drag and pull on the raft??

Again, I'm not knowledgeable with physics or mechanics....just trying to visualize it in action.

Good thinking, though. This ride clearly needs improvement (or demolition as I'd prefer).

jmo

Yeah. Good point. I also had forgotton that the cabling would have to be secured by something too which means the eye hooks would have to be more of an open "C" shape rather than totally circled. But you are right that the drag as the raft bounces along the cable would probably make their jet system not work properly to get the raft to the top of the first bump.

When I saw that TV special about the building of this contraption, they struggled getting the water pressure right to get the raft to the top of the bump so it is a sensitive and finicky contraption to begin with. h

I agree with others that the ride probably needs to just be shut down and not opened again until it can be totally redesigned for safety

 

[Everyday Grace]

I was thinking the same thing as you if that is what ended up happening.

Either the front end of the thing lifted up or he was shotgunned out of his seat. Either way it seems not a good idea to have the lightest person in front.

Could be both as factors.

Lift on the front end could conceivably increase the "body in motion" energy with the front rider to be overcome by gravity as the opposing force, thus increasing resistance to the restraints.

Placing the lightest in the center would move the center of gravity of the raft more towards the center of the raft itself, reducing the amount of front lift.

I wonder what their rationale was for placing the lightest at the front?

I can see needing the most weight at the rear to increase the gravitational force to bring the entire raft into surface contact.

I'm at a loss to understand why they placed lightest at the front unless it was a factor in the kinetic force needed to propel the rafts up the incline to the crest.

Some of the testing videos show rafts stalling up that incline. They incorporated "blaster" jets of water as a force in that stage. I wonder if that worked best with the center of gravity closer to the rear?

So who's up for some family fun today at KCK Schlitterbahn?

With the spectre of that "world record" accomplishment looming over the facility, I would take a pass and find my amusement in a different venue.

Others will probably disagree and attend, especially those already invested in season passes.

 

[AmyPond]

Much more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article94595887.html#storylink=cpy

Article includes criticism of the use of Velcro for the restraints.

When I first read Velcro, I was really expecting subsequent reporting to say the restraints used a different form of fastener.

That doesn't appear to be the case.

I'm no engineer or physicist by any stretch, but Velcro does not seem to be the best choice if the focus is truly on safety.

Velcro. Really?

Begs the question of how many other Schlitterbahn attractions and those at other parks use Velcro.

And why.

As someone else said...the risk of drowning or what. But I also bet it's because it's cheap/easy. Isn't it always about money, in the end?

Thank you, when I heard they were using Velcro straps , I was like What?!!! How did they get away with this?

Because regulations are almost non-existent. It's scary.

Maybe it just me, but I cannot see how that ride always has at least 400 lbs worth of people in it with just three riders. I know we have an obesity epidemic, but I doubt a lot of bigger people are climbing those stairs just to help balance the weight that would be necessary for each raft to fit the min. Requirements. The three adults in my house would barely cover it, how do kids ever ride? I just don't see it happening with all the tweets and teenagers who frequent water parks. I've been on a lot of high water slides that have stairs, and its a hike especially in the heat. Not buying it that they always stuck to their requirements.

With three adults, I don't think it's hard at all to reach 400 pounds. Most average sized adults are well above 134 pounds. And many teenagers would be plenty over 134 as well, I imagine. Especially boys.

I just did some math. If he was 70 lbs then the girls would each have to weigh 165 to reach 400 lbs. Since we know it was UNDER 400 I assume the girls were probably 120 to 130. Meaning it was probably arouns 100 lbs lighter.


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Has it been confirmed that the weight of the boat was under 400 pounds? I haven't heard this. Also, were they girls or were they adult women? I'd guess an average adult female weighs around that 160+ pounds these days.

BBM---
It makes complete sense that a more traditional type harness would not allow a rider to get free if the raft flipped over.... But I'm not sure if the greatest risk on this particular water ride is drowning. Seems like the biggest risk here is passengers flying out of their seats, as evidenced by early video. Does not appear the major modifications and the addition of the netting. which delayed the opening of the slide, were very effective.
Again, I say ego and profit clouded a lot of judgement in the design and ultimate approval of the world's tallest water slide.
JMO

I agree with this. On other water rides, yes, drowning would be a main concern. But on this one? There are obviously much bigger risks.

 

[AmyPond]

This article has some new details in it regarding how the brothers were separated and why he was riding with adults he didn't know.

Also, some gruesome details so be aware of that.

http://sandrarose.com/2016/08/caleb-schwab-10-decapitated-on-worlds-tallest-water-slide/

From the link:

"The 2 boys were weighed on a scale at the bottom of the tower and again on a scale at the top of the tower.

The 2 brothers could not ride the raft together with a 3rd person because the combined weight of all 3 riders didn’t meet the specified 400 lb. minimum.

So Nate went down the water slide first with 2 adult strangers.

Then it was Caleb’s turn."

(As an aside: not sure why a news article doesn't spell out the number words....first I've seen that.)

It probably doesn't spell it out because it's not a legitimate news site. I think this is just someone's blog. So personally, I wouldn't take anything stated in it as fact.

 

[K_Z]

One thing I was thinking about today is how many security cameras in the park may have a view of the Verruct. Some coaster attractions where we live have many cameras along the route, for security as well as monitoring and maintenance. I have to think there are a couple cameras in that park that could be reviewed to see if the accident was documented. Investigators will be looking for that, I'm sure. As well as interviewing ride operators and witnesses.

I'm equally sure that if there is footage of that ride, with the accident, that it will be months before the park lawyers and spokespeople admit to that.

I don't want any video to be on the web, if it exists, but I do want investigators to have all the evidence available. They need to know for certain precisely what happened. The family deserves that, too, as does the public.

I'd like to see the slide dismantled as well.

 

[Everyday Grace]

Kinda sorta confirmation that he was decapitated. I'm inclined to accept that as fact.

A 10 year-old boy was decapitated as he rode a 168-foot tall waterslide at a water park in Kansas, a person familiar with the investigation said Wednesday.

The person, who is not authorized to speak about the boy's death, told The Associated Press that Caleb Schwab was decapitated Sunday on the "Verruckt" raft ride at the Schlitterbahn WaterPark in Kansas City, Kansas.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-kansas-waterslide-decapitated20160810-story.html

 

[Everyday Grace]

A document released by a state agency says all the rides at a Kansas City, Kansas, water park passed private inspections in June, including the waterslide on which a 10-year-old boy died.

The Kansas Department of Labor provided to The Associated Press on Wednesday a copy of an insurance company inspector's June 7 letter saying inspections had been completed at Schlitterbahn Waterpark. The letter said all rides met guidelines for being insured with "no disqualifying conditions noted."

http://m.sfgate.com/news/us/article/The-Latest-Source-says-boy-decapitated-on-9133756.php

Meaningless if the flaw exists in the design or operational policy. MOO.

 

[Inthedetails]

Could be both as factors.

Lift on the front end could conceivably increase the "body in motion" energy with the front rider to be overcome by gravity as the opposing force, thus increasing resistance to the restraints.

Placing the lightest in the center would move the center of gravity of the raft more towards the center of the raft itself, reducing the amount of front lift.

I wonder what their rationale was for placing the lightest at the front?

I can see needing the most weight at the rear to increase the gravitational force to bring the entire raft into surface contact.

I'm at a loss to understand why they placed lightest at the front unless it was a factor in the kinetic force needed to propel the rafts up the incline to the crest.

Some of the testing videos show rafts stalling up that incline. They incorporated "blaster" jets of water as a force in that stage. I wonder if that worked best with the center of gravity closer to the rear?

So who's up for some family fun today at KCK Schlitterbahn?

With the spectre of that "world record" accomplishment looming over the facility, I would take a pass and find my amusement in a different venue.

Others will probably disagree and attend, especially those already invested in season passes.

Yes, I had forgotten about that part. They did have trouble getting the rafts up the second bump.

 

[AmyPond]

One thing I was thinking about today is how many security cameras in the park may have a view of the Verruct. Some coaster attractions where we live have many cameras along the route, for security as well as monitoring and maintenance. I have to think there are a couple cameras in that park that could be reviewed to see if the accident was documented. Investigators will be looking for that, I'm sure. As well as interviewing ride operators and witnesses.

I'm equally sure that if there is footage of that ride, with the accident, that it will be months before the park lawyers and spokespeople admit to that.

I don't want any video to be on the web, if it exists, but I do want investigators to have all the evidence available. They need to know for certain precisely what happened. The family deserves that, too, as does the public.

I'd like to see the slide dismantled as well.

I hope there is video of it because eyewitness accounts are never super reliable.

Kinda sorta confirmation that he was decapitated. I'm inclined to accept that as fact.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-kansas-waterslide-decapitated20160810-story.html

A lot of legitimate news sites were reporting yesterday that police confirmed decapitation.

http://time.com/4444447/caleb-schwab-verruckt-water-slide-death/

Police confirmed to TIME on Tuesday that the boy was decapitated in the accident. He was found dead at the bottom of the ride in a pool.

 

[Tssiemer]

Has it been confirmed that the weight of the boat was under 400 pounds? I haven't heard this. Also, were they girls or were they adult women? I'd guess an average adult female weighs around that 160+ pounds these days.

From this article.

http://sandrarose.com/2016/08/caleb...omen. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AmyPond]

That is just a random blog, I believe. So I don't think it can be stated as fact.

 

[Inthedetails]

It probably doesn't spell it out because it's not a legitimate news site. I think this is just someone's blog. So personally, I wouldn't take anything stated in it as fact.

Okay, good to know. IIRC, the article also said the head was decapitated, which is obviously not possible. The body was decapitated, not the head.

Thanks for mentioning it was a blog because I missed that.

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

http://m.sfgate.com/news/us/article/The-Latest-Source-says-boy-decapitated-on-9133756.php

Meaningless if the flaw exists in the design or operational policy. MOO.

I'd love to see the details of that inspection. I would bet anything that is was far from a comprehensive inspection. And with virtually no regulations, what standards were they holding it to?

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[gregjrichards]

One thing I was thinking about today is how many security cameras in the park may have a view of the Verruct. Some coaster attractions where we live have many cameras along the route, for security as well as monitoring and maintenance. I have to think there are a couple cameras in that park that could be reviewed to see if the accident was documented. Investigators will be looking for that, I'm sure. As well as interviewing ride operators and witnesses.

I'm equally sure that if there is footage of that ride, with the accident, that it will be months before the park lawyers and spokespeople admit to that.

I don't want any video to be on the web, if it exists, but I do want investigators to have all the evidence available. They need to know for certain precisely what happened. The family deserves that, too, as does the public.

I'd like to see the slide dismantled as well.

I hope the police interviewed the ride employee at the top because if they and management at the park knew the top weight scale was faulty but knowingly allowed people to ride regardless they should be facing manslaughter charges. The ride should have been shut if the scale was faulty if as they claim "safety is our number one priority". You cannot take chances with public safety. It's a great pity Caleb had to die for the state to see regulations to ensure water park safety needed improving.

 

[La Louve]

Rest in Peace, sweet Caleb. This should not have happened to you or anyone else.

:rose:

 

[Everyday Grace]

I'd love to see the details of that inspection. I would bet anything that is was far from a comprehensive inspection. And with virtually no regulations, what standards were they holding it to?

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The law says the ride "shall be self-inspected by a qualified inspector at least every 12 months," meaning Schlitterbahn could inspect it's own rides if it has an inspector qualified by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials.

Presumably the insurance inspector would also have to be qualified by that same organization.

Also in that article:

The KDOL released an insurance inspection report from 2012. The agency says that was the last time it was at the Schlitterbahn in Kansas City. You can find links to those documents in the column to the right of this story.

I'm viewing the mobile version of that site so I can't see the documents. Others should be able to.

http://www.kwch.com/content/news/KDOL--389667152.html

 

[La Louve]

I hope the police interviewed the ride employee at the top because if they and management at the park knew the top weight scale was faulty but knowingly allowed people to ride regardless they should be facing manslaughter charges. The ride should have been shut if the scale was faulty if as they claim "safety is our number one priority". You cannot take chances with public safety. It's a great pity Caleb had to die for the state to see regulations to ensure water park safety needed improving.

JMO but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the Kansas legislature to enact any regulations at all out of this needless tragedy.

 

[kaen]

http://www.rideaccidents.com/ is a good site to see what accidents have happened at parks across the US over time. There are a fair amount.

 

[gregjrichards]

JMO but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the Kansas legislature to enact any regulations at all out of this needless tragedy.

I can understand your scepticism but I'm sure Senator Schwab will be pushing for change to help prevent another family suffering like his has.

I hope you are well and are having nice summer weather La Louve.