Parents of boy killed on Kansas water slide recall horrific day | ABC News 

I seriously hope the boy who witnessed his brother being decapitated received therapy. This is beyond traumatic.

"And he just kept saying, 'No trust me you don't want to go any further." That's terrifying.

That was a good man that shielded the mother from viewing the scene. I'm sure if she'd come closer she would've seen images that would forever haunt her.

"6 went to the park, 5 came back..💔" broke my heart, this situation is really sad. praying for them!

Imagine how dark the air was in that house when they got home that night. Oh my god this story is beyond horrific.

Caleb's raft was lifted up his head hit the netting and he was decapitated. That park should be sued along with the designers/engineers.

I read the entire story about the family who owned the park, the man who designed the ride and the fateful day of the accident. My heart just broke. Totally broke. Needless to say, the man who designed it went into a deep depression as well.

Caleb seemed like such a good kid 😭 it’s not fair, kids are just trying to have fun at these parks! They don’t deserve to die.

They’re really gonna show the reporter going down the slide having a fun time 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Imagine driving there with a full car of exited kids, then returning with an empty seat

I'm not particularly the religious type, but I hope that there is a loving afterlife with tons of love because some people just don't get a fair shake in this life. RIP Caleb. I hope there is a loving afterlife where you're getting plenty of hugs.

Watching this video makes my heart literally ache. My son just turned 11, and as a mother, I really don't know how you recover from something like this. The pain... the guilt... unimaginable. Stories like this are why I nearly have panic attacks every time my son rides a thrill ride. Two years ago, he was finally tall enough to ride a giant drop tower at a park near our house. He insisted on riding it with his dad. The entire time they rode to the top, I was sobbing on the ground. I told my husband to hold onto his arm and not let go no matter what. I just envisioned him slipping out of his seat. It's an all around terrible feeling, and my heart breaks for these parents.

Kid got decapitated. That's probably the most horrifying thing about this. God bless these people.

I truly hope Caleb died instantly. Hopefully he felt no pain, and I hope his older brother is okay.

He seemed like a wonderful, kind young man. What a devastating loss. Rest in Peace

That video of Caleb dancing with his baby brother was so sweet. Rest in peace sweet little man! And God grant his family strength throughout the rest of their days. I don't even want to imagine the horror these parents and the older brother as a witness have been trying to cope with.

The blood on the slide is what gets me. Imagine watching this, and seeing a rush of blood wash down with the water. I hope that everyone who witnessed this is having therapy.

First rule of thumb:: If you have to sign an insurance waiver before you get on the ride, Don’t even think of getting on it period. Run for the hills!!!!

crazy to think this kid would be 15 right now. rest in peace kiddo. my heart goes out to family and friends of the boy, i hope they’re all doing alright. ❤️

I remember watching them build this giant slide. I used to pass it all the time. The whooshing sound of people going down could be heard from the road. My heart broke when I heard what happened to that poor family. It confirmed what I'd always thought: that it was too dangerous and a waste of money. The entire park has since been completely torn down.

The fact that his brother witness him being decapitated is beyond heartbreaking

That poor child. The woman seated behind him, broke her jaw when Caleb's decapitated head hit her in the face.

I remember this story, how horriffic as a parent to lose a child so violently and for one of your children to witness it. I really feel for them. So sad.

This is so heartbreaking. I cannot even imagine losing a brother. I have a younger brother, and after hearing this, it makes me feel lucky to have a brother. My condolences to the family who lost Scott.

Imagine the trauma that older brother has now. That image will never leave his mind

The child was too light. Why let him on? The lifeguards should have known better.

I hope the brother who saw poor Caleb got therapy from that trauma! I can’t believe we lost a little angel from ignorance.

This story, and the one with the little boy and alligator at Disney, will forever haunt me. My heart will always be with those families.

It's a death trap should never had opened

its sad to hear that his face lit up when he heard he was going to the water park but then when he got there his life was taken away. :(

I actually can’t even watch this. This so unbelievably sad. This is too tragic and cruel for this to actually happen to someone, his family. It’s horrific.

I am soo sorry for your loss, I can't imagine the pain your family is going through. No parent should lose thier child. Hugs from your Canadian neighbors

Poor baby. I hope he passed instantly & didn't feel pain. However those last seconds, I can't imagine.

6:14 imagine the little brother watching this video when he’s older, knowing that the brother that once lovingly cradled him is now dead.

His parents are amazing. If that situation happened in my family, I wouldn't be able to talk about it.

It’s insane how life can just flip on a dime like that. It’s stories like this that creep into my mind when I’m thinking way too much of what could possibly happen to my family or my kids. I can’t imagine the heartbreak, the trauma, I truly can’t imagine. You can only pray to whatever god might be out there that something like this never happens to you or anyone you love. May Caleb Shwab Rest In Peace, and I wish the best for his family.

I would never let my kids go on that kind of ride, ever. If they are reading a liability disclaimer at the top, that's a red flag.

That must have been so traumatic for the brother. That’s so horrible, I couldn’t imagine.

Oh my God, this brought tears to my eyes. Bless the Schwab family. Our hearts are heavy and our prayers go out to you... Rest in peace Caleb

1:06 kills me everytime. The boys look so wholesome in that video.

Did the brother who witnessed it get help? That poor boy :( this poor family

Hope the other brother who witnessed the horrific accident is receiving therapy and dealing with the trauma. Such a sad incident

I can just imagine being the instructor who let Caleb go down the slide only ending up in his death.

This really hurts my heart and soul….I can’t even imagine…I really hope their family has a future full of nothing but peace. Bless their hearts.

I personally knew Caleb and I can tell you he was the sweetest and most positive uplifting person. We went to church together and he was so involved and just invested in life and god Edit: thank you for all of the support but please stop arguing in the comments. If you are going to try to blame his parents I hope you see how wrong and heartless you are but either way please stop arguing it’s unnecessary especially under the circumstances thank you all so much🥰🙏🏽

I love how they use ""netting" like thats suppose to save your life as your being launched through the damn air!

They add netting instead of making the second hump higher to reduce the rate of speed??? I took three years of engineering in high school and even I know that second hump was too low.

Years later and I still cannot fathom leaving for a fun treat trip and you leave with 4 boys and come back with 3. You're looking in the rear view mirror and where you saw 4, there are now 3. How does ones brain reconcile that?! I cannot even begin to imagine any of this as a parent myself. Heartbreaking is an understatement. I'm praying that his brother wasn't looking at him when he actually became decapitated and just saw possibly the aftermath because that is something you just can't live with.

I'm 27 and I wouldn't go on that ride.

"6 went to the park, 5 came back" My heart is broken 😔💔

Personally, I think it’s horrible that they asked the parents for details. It’s obvious how images of their sons death flashed through their minds while they where recalling the even. Never ask someone about a traumatizing event, it’s much better if they bring it up themselves.

Im crying right now, he seemed like such a nice boy and he went there thatt day to have fun, and this happened, its too much for me. I really do hope that family is okay

They don't explain what exactly happened to the boy, but if you look into the specifics on how he died, you'll understand why.

such a good boy. Rest in peace in peace Caleb

My heart breaks for this poor family. To lose a child has got to be the most horrible feeling in the world.

i live by this park:( they torn it down awhile ago but i remember when this happened the whole community was completely shocked and mortified.

why do i put myself through this by watching things like this 🤦‍♀️

Wow, when I heard the part where the man said “trust me you don’t want to go any further.” It just broke my heart 😭

This situation really affected me, I don't personally have kids but things like this it's hard not to have compassion for the tragedy.

I feel so incredibly sad for this family :(

Seeing those videos of him playing and being so innocent makes me very emotional . As a mom , this is my worst nightmare. Outliving your children has to be the hardest task in this world .

I can't even think about how awful that would be. I can't imagine losing a loved one in a way like that. He was so young.

My heart breaks for this family, I have watched this tragedy over and over no words can exspress how horrible this is. I know this child was horrified as he was thrown threw the air, I can only pray that his death was immediate no pain not suffering. God bless him and this family. I did not know you but I will never forget you. Sending bear hugs to heaven.❤️🙏❤️.

it's so stupid that bc of this waterslide he died, he had a very long and i bet good life ahead. he was a loving and happy kid! it's just so weird nd sad how things are just fine and when you least know everythinh changes. God bless the family :( Caleb is an angel now.

Yooo when it showed the video of him holding his brother... I couldn’t hold it in no more!!😭💔

This is beyond horrific - absolutely devastating. I really feel for that whole family ❤

They new the ride wasn’t safe when they were laughing at the sand bags launching off the ramp. They were stupid enough to then add metal bars and netting which is just insane. It was only a matter of time before something was going to go wrong. This is a ride that not even action park would be crazy enough to make.

*THIS WATERSLIDE HAD DEFECTS FROM THE START YET IT WASN'T CLOSED, ALL IN THE NAME OF PROFIT*

It must be so hard losing a son, and especially a young one 🙁

I saw my family not long after a horrific car accident with a triaxle truck. My husband, and 9 year old daughter were killed. My 14 year old son survived. If someone shielded that mother from seeing her son? God bless him, because 20 years later I can see envision the horrific scene. It never leaves you and no mother should see her baby like that.

Poor child rip. He was a little cutie. Imagine his parents pain going back home that night without him.

I wish they would remove that slide. You could still see it off the highway. Could you imagine the family having to pass that?!

I don't see how anyone can continue to go down that slide knowing a young boy tragically died on it....

Imagine how quiet they went back home

Oh god... I didn’t even know the poor kid but hearing him on the footage brought me to tears. He was so young, and it’s heartbreaking to realize some kids don’t get to outlive their own childhood

imagine when the kid opened his eyes that morning and thought i can't wait to have a Fun day at the waterpark with my family around me not knowing what was to come

I could not imagine the pain they’re going through, this hurts

Absolutely horrific.. I can’t imagine the shock and pain from losing your child..and in such a horrific way. I hope the family, especially the brother that saw Caleb that way, is ok, ok as can be..❤

My best friend was there that day, same age as this poor kid. She was terrified, I can’t imagine how this boy felt.

Wow, those parents are so emotionally strong its unbelievable.. wish them the best for their family

RIP Caleb. The adults were supposed to keep you safe, and let you and your family down.

Rest in peace.

That is the scariest looking ride ! I’m surprised children were allowed on it . Such a horrific story ....

I lost my daughter to cancer when she was 6, I knew it was coming. I had time to work it out as best I could in my mind...I had time to 'prepare'. I cried for this family, because they went to have fun, and violently lost their beautiful son.... just out of the blue, no chance to see him or say goodbye. Thanks be to the Merciful One of heaven that there was only one person per raft and the boys hadn't ridden together 😥

Such a tragedy. What a beautiful little boy.

It’s just so sad that his brother witnessed that too! I hope he had mental help! This is so tragic and I’m glad that they tore the ride down. He is in a better place now and I hope the family is doing okay too. I have two little ones who never leave my side and I can’t imagine losing one of them. Sending prayers and love to the family 🥰

Honestly, it looks super dangerous

I lost it when they showed the baseball team in front of his casket.😢 I am so soooooo sorry for their tragic lose and I'll be praying for the family💗

My son is almost 10, I cannot begin to imagine what the family is going through. It's beyond heartbreaking devastating and Earth shattering. Thoughts and prayers to his family, may he rest in peace. 🙏💔😭

They''ll never forget their brother. I have 2 brothers all grown, we don't talk much but our bond is so so strong.

This is so so sad, and it's even worse that his little brother saw what happened.... 💔

When I saw the video of his little brother holding on to him while he danced, I started tearing up.. the baby was just holding on so cute and so tight, and he will never get to experience that on earth with his brother ever again..

Rest in heaven baby boy. My prayers are with the family.

God bless this child, RIP and may God give this family strength and peace. They look like amazing parents

People, it was an internal decapitation: his head bent back so hard and so far that it detached from the spine, but it did not get cut off. (It is still very sad, but not as graphic as you are picturing.) Rest in peace to Caleb.

Life is so unpredictable. In a split second everything changes and sometimes things are irreversible. I can't help tearing as I watch those parts of the video clip of Caleb in action and the voice describing him. Caleb was such a nice boy, a good boy, so loving and giving. MY condolences to Caleb's parents, siblings, family members and friends.

I can’t imagine the guilt this family feels/felt, it’s absolutely horrible.

Does anyone know how Nathan is doing today? I feel so terrible for him I hope he’s alright

I was a slide attendant and lifeguard for a year at a major waterpark and can already tell you that it was the carelessness of the attendant at the top of the ride. There is a minimum weight limit for every ride and these kids should not have been sent down that slide. I was almost thrown out of a body slide in high school and I weighed 150Lbs. It's a shame that a lot of lifeguards and slide attendants do not take their jobs seriously in the slightest.

My mom had kept saying someone would die on this ride and sure enough, this young boy did and it is sad.. RIP to Caleb. I would've never let him ride this, no matter how "safe" it is.