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

[Everyday Grace]

Raft Carrying 10-Year-Old Water Slide Victim Caleb Schwab Was 15 Pounds Underweight, Police Report Confirms

https://www.yahoo.com/news/raft-carrying-10-old-water-180923160.html

Police are disputing an article published in PEOPLE Magazine about the circumstances surrounding Caleb Schwab's death at Schlitterbahn.

Police, however, are disputing that claim. They told FOX 4 that the weight from the women's medical records and Caleb's autopsy actually added up to 545 pounds, well above the 400-pound weight requirement.

Police said they're not sure why the weights would be so drastically different, but said they suspect the lower figures came from the womens' drivers licenses.

http://fox4kc.com/2016/08/15/police...ng-caleb-schwab-was-under-weight-requirement/

Clears that up. Not.

Perhaps someone in the local media will post the actual police report.

 

[KaaBoom]

Raft Carrying 10-Year-Old Water Slide Victim Caleb Schwab Was 15 Pounds Underweight, Police Report Confirms

https://www.yahoo.com/news/raft-carrying-10-old-water-180923160.html

All riders are weighed before going on the ride, and then they are allowed to ride regardless of what their weight is. :facepalm: Why do they even bother to weigh them in the first place?

 

[Everyday Grace]

Associated Press:

Police Monday released a report showing one rider at 140 pounds, another at 170, and an unclear weight for Caleb. He would have to weigh 90 pounds to make the trio's weight reach 400 pounds.

But police said weights taken at a hospital after the accident show one person weighed 275 pounds, another weighed 197 pounds and a third weighed 73 pounds, putting the combined weight at 545 pounds.

http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Pol...water-park-death-within-limits-390238872.html

 

[Doghairrules]

When I walk into an amusement park I FULLY EXPECT and assume that every ride has been inspected on a daily basis and each ride is built to standards re: safety!!!! Nobody walks into an amusement park assuming that something could go wrong on any of the rides and that it's their fault for taking a "risk". But that's just my opinion.

I agree. And there are many instances throughout history where owners and corporations have put profit ahead of safety. Ford and Toyota are two that come immediately to mind.


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[KaaBoom]

Associated Press:



http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Pol...water-park-death-within-limits-390238872.html

That’s a lot of conflicting information there.

 

[Doghairrules]

if the calibration was not accurate then there is a possibility he was under the legal limit to drive...

innocent till proven guilty



a defendant does not have to prove they are innocent....the defendant does not have to prove he was under the legal limit,

the prosecution has to prove he was OVER the legal limit, and they cant do that using faulty equipment

so yes in a court of law it IS ASSUMED he was under the limit, unless PROVEN otherwise

And yet she said multiple times that a blood draw confirmed this person was intoxicated. End of discussion of whether or not he was innocent, imo.


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[Doghairrules]

http://fox4kc.com/2016/08/15/police...ng-caleb-schwab-was-under-weight-requirement/

Clears that up. Not.

Perhaps someone in the local media will post the actual police report.

Never mind - the website says no single rider over 300 lbs, which is morbidly obese.

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[Everyday Grace]

That’s a lot of conflicting information there.

Indeed.

One scenario puts the raft 17 pounds under the minimum weight.

The other puts it five pounds under the maximum weight of 550.

Worth noting that in the heavier scenario, the combined weight of the two lightest riders (197 + 73 = 270) does not even equal the weight of the heaviest rider (275).

Presuming that the heaviest rider was at the back (as previous riders have said was their experience) and knowing Caleb was in the front as the lightest rider, the center of gravity for the raft was located with the rear rider.

Creating a considerable lift at the front end even in a stationary position.

Not good for Schlitterbahn either way, IMO.

 

[al66pine]

"But police said weights taken at a hospital after the accident show one person weighed 275 pounds, another weighed 197 pounds and a third weighed 73 pounds, putting the combined weight at 545 pounds." *

IIRC, some posters here said they saw the two women sharing raft w Caleb and said they did not think that the three combined would have reached the minimum weight for ride. From ^ link, seems the three would have been close to maximum weight. Scratches head.:thinking:


* http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Pol...water-park-death-within-limits-390238872.html Aug 15
Poor little guy.

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

I wonder if there was a typo... 275 when it should be 175? That would make the discrepancy more reasonable.

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[AmyPond]

Indeed.

One scenario puts the raft 17 pounds under the minimum weight.

The other puts it five pounds under the maximum weight of 550.

Worth noting that in the heavier scenario, the combined weight of the two lightest riders (197 + 73 = 270) does not even equal the weight of the heaviest rider (275).

Presuming that the heaviest rider was at the back (as previous riders have said was their experience) and knowing Caleb was in the front as the lightest rider, the center of gravity for the raft was located with the rear rider.

Creating a considerable lift at the front end even in a stationary position.

Not good for Schlitterbahn either way, IMO.

That was my thought before...that the front was just too light compared to the back. But now I think that it may be a combo of the front end lifting up and also the lack of proper restraint lifting his body out of the raft.

I think it was the perfect storm, so to speak.

 

[IBsleuthin]

And yet she said multiple times that a blood draw confirmed this person was intoxicated. End of discussion of whether or not he was innocent, imo.


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WHERE have you been all my life?

 

[neesaki]

Raft Carrying 10-Year-Old Water Slide Victim Caleb Schwab Was 15 Pounds Underweight, Police Report Confirms

https://www.yahoo.com/news/raft-carrying-10-old-water-180923160.html

So, cause #1: They were underweight. I'm still waiting for the rest of them, because there will be more. IMO, they probably went airborne due to being underweight. Which would have increased the chance of the already flimsy Velcro straps to not hold. Whatever the other causes, they will probably have something to do with the plethora of "glitches". Apparently the owners became impatient at some point, and made the choice to just ignore or gloss over them. I guess the opening of their Insane Ride was their top priority, versus innocent human lives.

So now that the inevitable tragedy has occurred, I really hope they'll have a conscience and show some integrity and accept responsibility for causing the loss of this young boys life. I guess we will see.

 

[GeeEm]

So, cause #1: They were underweight. I'm still waiting for the rest of them, because there will be more. IMO, they probably went airborne due to being underweight. Which would have increased the chance of the already flimsy Velcro straps to not hold. Whatever the other causes, they will probably have something to do with the plethora of "glitches". Apparently the owners became impatient at some point, and made the choice to just ignore or gloss over them. I guess the opening of their Insane Ride was their top priority, versus innocent human lives.

So now that the inevitable tragedy has occurred, I really hope they'll have a conscience and show some integrity and accept responsibility for causing the loss of this young boys life. I guess we will see.

In reference to your link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/raft-carrying-10-old-water-180923160.html

It led me to the link here: http://www.people.com/article/amusement-park-regulations-by-state



"They had to redesign the ride and they also changed the boat to keep people in," Ken Martin, a Virginia-based consultant who has worked on amusement park safety for more than 20 years but has no specific knowledge of Schlitterbahn

According to numerous witnesses interviewed by PEOPLE, ride used restraints made from hook-and-loop fastener material, (similar to VELCRO®). Martin says such material should never be used for this type of ride.

"What happens to fabric when you wash it? It wears out over time. These straps have been in a place for two years," says Martin. "They get wet every day, perhaps multiple times a day and dry out. There have been previous reports of the strap failing."
______________________________________________________________________________________

As I previously posted, and was "shot down" by others, with due respect PLEASE READ the ABOVE about Velcro straps should have never been used due to wear and tear.

Thank you ~

JMO :moo:

 

[NewMama]

In reference to your link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/raft-carrying-10-old-water-180923160.html

It led me to the link here: http://www.people.com/article/amusement-park-regulations-by-state



"They had to redesign the ride and they also changed the boat to keep people in," Ken Martin, a Virginia-based consultant who has worked on amusement park safety for more than 20 years but has no specific knowledge of Schlitterbahn

According to numerous witnesses interviewed by PEOPLE, ride used restraints made from hook-and-loop fastener material, (similar to VELCRO[emoji768]). Martin says such material should never be used for this type of ride.

"What happens to fabric when you wash it? It wears out over time. These straps have been in a place for two years," says Martin. "They get wet every day, perhaps multiple times a day and dry out. There have been previous reports of the strap failing."
______________________________________________________________________________________

As I previously posted, and was "shot down" by others, with due respect PLEASE READ the ABOVE about Velcro straps should have never been used due to wear and tear.

Thank you ~

JMO :moo:

Yes, I'm interested as to what, if any, additives were used for maintaining water quality. These would possibly also have an effect on the deterioration of the strap material.


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[NewMama]

Also, whether or not the rafts were stored open to the elements.


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[ZooSleuth]

In reference to your link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/raft-carrying-10-old-water-180923160.html

It led me to the link here: http://www.people.com/article/amusement-park-regulations-by-state



"They had to redesign the ride and they also changed the boat to keep people in," Ken Martin, a Virginia-based consultant who has worked on amusement park safety for more than 20 years but has no specific knowledge of Schlitterbahn

According to numerous witnesses interviewed by PEOPLE, ride used restraints made from hook-and-loop fastener material, (similar to VELCRO®). Martin says such material should never be used for this type of ride.

"What happens to fabric when you wash it? It wears out over time. These straps have been in a place for two years," says Martin. "They get wet every day, perhaps multiple times a day and dry out. There have been previous reports of the strap failing."
______________________________________________________________________________________

As I previously posted, and was "shot down" by others, with due respect PLEASE READ the ABOVE about Velcro straps should have never been used due to wear and tear.

Thank you ~

JMO :moo:

I'm with you, it seems like common sense to me to not use a velcro strap for ride safety. I can't remember ever going on a ride, even a super tame one, that used velcro straps.

 

[IBsleuthin]

I had velcro straps on my shoes once. They worked perfectly fine when wet.

 

[IBsleuthin]

It was when they were repeatedly exposed to chlorinated water, UV rays, grass, debri, other fabric scraps, lint, body hair, air borne particles and opening and closing them 100 times a day, every single day, seven days a week all year long that they wore out. When I'd run fast or downhill they would fly off. The velcro straps couldn't keep my shoes on my feet due to friction and inertia and the rotation of the earth.

 

[IBsleuthin]

AND BY THE WAY...what did these rocket scientists THINK was going to happen when the raft lifted up into the netting? Where were the faces of the occupants in the raft going to be if the raft raised up off the slide and into the netting?

They could have put a bunch of barbies in a raft and lifted it up and saw that the faces/heads of these Barbies went right up into the netting. With METAL HOOPS!

Why didn't they just call me first. I shake my head.

From the sounds of it so far, the raft went airborn bow first, the front occupant got the worst of it. The two behind also were injured. (they might have been injured by the front occupant but I don't want to be that graphic) My feeling is that the boy got caught in the metal hoops and was RIPPED out of the raft and velcro straps. I don't believe at that speed and force, not much would have held him in. Especially when they were all wet.



For those defense lawyers out there? Good luck on this one. There is absolutely nothing that this child did that is his responsibility. Zero. I'd just settle out of court, sell your law firm and go back to school for welding or hair dressing. The world is short on envelope lickers too. I think there are some scholarships for that.