Kansas lawmaker's young son killed on water slide

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The 10-year-old son of a Kansas state lawmaker was killed Sunday on a waterslide at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kan., officials said.

Caleb Schwab, the son of state Rep. Scott Schwab, died on the Verruckt, billed as the world's tallest waterslide. Verruckt is German for "insane."

The family said Caleb "brought abundant joy" to those who knew him and "We are comforted knowing he believed in our Savior Jesus, and they are forever together now. We will see him another day."

Winter Prosapio, a spokeswoman for the park, said the park is investigating the boy's death.

"We honestly don't know what's happened," said spokesperson Winter Prosapio, who added, "To be honest, this is not something we've experienced."

Riders plummet nearly 169 feet -- taller than both Niagara Falls and the Statue of Liberty -- at 65 mph. Riders must be at least 14 years old and 54 inches tall to be strapped in the three-person raft.

It is not known how the 10-year-old boy got on the ride.

Kansas City Police Chief Terry Zeigler said the death is being investigated as an accident.