SCHLITTERBAHN SETTLES WATER SLIDE DEATH LAWSUIT

Schlitterbahn-tied companies to pay $14M to Kansas boy’s family.

The family of a 10-year-old boy who died on a giant water slide at a Kansas water park will receive nearly $20 million in settlement payments, according to court documents.

The largest payment to Caleb Schwab’s family, $14 million, will come from SVV 1 and KC Water Park, two companies associated with the New Braunfelsbased water park operator Schlitterbahn, the Kansas City Star reported.

The rest of the money will come from the general contractor, the raft manufacturer and a company that consulted on the 17-story “Verruckt” water slide that was dubbed the tallest in the world. The water slide at the Schlitterbahn Kansas City Water Park has been closed since Caleb’s death on Aug. 7, 2016.

The settlements had already been announced, but the amounts being paid weren’t disclosed. The Star obtained the court documents after filing motions to intervene. The newspaper argued that the amounts paid by each defendant should be released to ensure those responsible for Caleb’s death are held publicly accountable.

Caleb’s father is Republican Kansas state Rep. Scott Schwab. The family’s attorneys, who did not return messages from the Associated Press seeking comment Thursday, said previously

in a written statement that the family was “determined to hold all those responsible for this tragedy accountable, while doing all they can to ensure this never happens again to another family.” In an email to the Star, Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said that Caleb’s family and the others affected will “forever be in our thoughts and prayers.” The company previously announced it would tear down Verruckt once a court allows it, although it remains unclear when that will happen.

Verruckt — German for “insane” — featured multiperson rafts that made a 17-story drop at speeds of up to 70 mph, followed by a surge up a hump and a 50-foot descent to a finish- ing pool. During the ride, Caleb was decapitated, a person familiar with the investigation previously told the Associated Press on condi- tion of anonymity because that person was not autho- rized to speak publicly about the boy’s death. The two women who took the ride with Caleb suffered serious facial injuries. They have settled their claims against the companies involved in the making of Verruckt.

At the time of Caleb’s death, Kansas was known for its light regulation of amusement park rides. But last month, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback signed off on legislation that beefs up the state’s requirements.

Rep. Schwab said in March on the floor of the Kansas House that the bill was for “the next kid who goes some place in Kansas for a fun weekend.” Authorities said the Kansas City, Kansas, police investigation of Caleb’s death has been turned over to the office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. He told Asso- ciated Press on Thursday he has been asked to assess whether any criminality was involved in the tragedy.

“It remains actively under review,” Schmidt said. “It is a priority in our office to get in a position as expeditiously as possible where we can make a decision.”