Schlitterbahn will tear down the world's tallest water slide after the investigation into a 10-year-old Kansas boy's death is complete.
Verrückt has been closed since Caleb Schwab died while riding it on Aug. 7.
In a statement, spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the Henry family, which owns Schlitterbahn, was "heartbroken" by what happened at its Kansas City, Kansas, water park:
Once the investigation is concluded and we are given permission by the court, Verrückt will be decommissioned – closed permanently and the slide removed from the tower. In our opinion, it is the only proper course of action following this tragedy. We will, at some point in the future, announce what will be built in its place. We continue to fully cooperate with investigative teams and work with the families, their attorneys and our staff impacted by this accident.
The 2014 opening of the 17-story water slide was delayed for several weeks for safety reasons, though until Schwab's death, Schlitterbahn had operated Verrückt without incident.
Schwab was the son of Kansas Sen. Scott Schwab, R-Olathe. Many state lawmakers were at the water park Aug. 7 for Elected Officials Day.
Elle Moxley is a reporter for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.
