Waterslide on which boy died will stay shut for rest of season

Here's the latest on the investigation into the death of a boy who was riding the world's tallest waterslide at a water park on Sunday (all times local):

3:20 p.m.

The operator of a Kansas waterslide on which a 10-year-old boy was killed last weekend says the 17-story ride will remain closed for the remainder of the season.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark closed the Verruckt ride after Caleb Schwab died Sunday. Police said the son of Kansas lawmaker Scott Schwab sustained a fatal neck injury, though authorities and the park haven't said specifically how that happened.

Schlitterbahn also said on Tuesday that "a limited portion" of the park will reopen at noon Wednesday, and park officials won't be offering interviews with reporters.

The waterslide is billed as the world's tallest, measuring 168 feet high.

12:20 p.m.

At least two people who've ridden the waterslide on which a 10-year-old boy was killed over the weekend say shoulder straps snapped or popped off during the ride.

Paul Oberhauser told KCTV that the safety restraints on his raft on the Verruckt waterslide weren't working properly when he rode it on July 26 at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark.

The man from Nebraska says his shoulder strap "busted loose" during the ride and he "just held on." A video shot by his wife shows it loose at the ride's end. He says he told workers about the loose strap.

Kenneth Conrad told WDAF-TV that he rode the waterslide last year with a friend whose shoulder strap came "completely off." Conrad's wife snapped a photo at the end of the ride showing the strap missing. Conrad says he didn't file a complaint with the park.

The park's spokeswoman didn't immediately return a message Tuesday from The Associated Press seeking comment on the claims.

___

12 p.m.

A funeral is set for a state lawmaker's 10-year-old son who was killed while riding the waterslide. Caleb Thomas Schwab died of an unspecified neck injury.

Neither investigators nor park officials have released specifics about how the boy sustained his fatal injuries. Caleb was the son of Republican state Rep. Scott Schwab.

A family spokesman, the Rev. Clint Sprague, says visitation will be Thursday evening at LifeMission Church in Olathe. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

___

11:35 a.m.

A spokesman for police in Kansas City, Kansas, says the death of a boy killed while riding a waterslide at a local water park is considered a criminal investigation because a death was involved. Officer Cameron Morgan said investigators didn't believe anything criminal happened, so it would be a "civil matter."

On Tuesday, he clarified that the investigation is a criminal case because a death was involved, as is standard procedure. He reaffirmed police don't believe any criminal wrongdoing occurred and are investigating to rule out that any crime was committed.

Caleb was one of three passengers riding in a raft on the Verruckt waterslide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark when the accident occurred. Emergency responders found the boy dead in a pool at the end of the ride. The other passengers sustained minor facial injuries.

___

1 a.m.

Kansas City, Kansas, police say a 10-year-old boy who was killed while riding the world's tallest waterslide died of a neck injury.

Police say Caleb Schwab was one of three passengers riding in a boat Sunday on the Verruckt waterslide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark.

According to a police statement, an off-duty officer working at the water park notified dispatch of the accident around 2:30 p.m. Emergency responders arrived to find the boy dead in a pool at the end of the ride.

Police say two women who also were in the boat - but not related to the boy - sustained minor facial injuries and were treated at area hospitals.