World's tallest water slide to close after 10-year-old boy killed
The world's tallest water slide will be demolished after a 10-year-old boy was killed riding it, park operators have said.
The 51-metre waterslide, at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, has been closed since the tragedy on August 7 and will close once the investigation into what went wrong is finished.
See also: Child killed on world's tallest waterslide
See also: Man falls over cliff in waterslide disaster
Caleb Thomas Schwab, the son of a US politician, was reportedly decapitated in the horrific accident.
The ride, called Verruckt, which is German for "insane", features multi-person rafts that make a 17-storey drop and can hit speeds of 70mph.
Riders were required to be at least 4ft 6in tall and were harnessed in with two nylon seatbelt straps while holding ropes inside the raft.
Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts said in a statement: "In our 50 years of providing an environment for families and friends to gather, we've never experienced this kind of devastating event.
"The safety of our staff and guests is our top priority."
Two women in the raft with Caleb were also injured.
Regulation of amusement rides has come under scrutiny in the US following the death.
Although Kansas mandates annual inspections of rides, it allows private contractors to do the work rather than requiring a state check.
No lawsuits have yet been filed.
