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Son of Kansas lawmaker dies on world's tallest water slide

Xinhua, August 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

The ten-year-old son of a Kansas lawmaker died Sunday in an accident on the world's tallest water slide at a local water park, local authorities and media said.

State Representative Scott Schwab confirmed in a statement that his son, Caleb Thomas Schwab, died in the accident at Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, in the central U.S. state of Kansas, Sunday afternoon.

It was the elected officials day in Kansas, and the park was teemed with lawmakers and their families, who received free admission and lunch as well as a day off.

The daughter of State Senator Pat Pettey also played on the water slide right before the accident, but she refused to talk about it, said local media.

"We honestly don't know what's happened," Winter Prosapio, corporate director of communications for Schlitterbahn water park, said in a press release, "That's why a full investigation is necessary. We have to understand what's happened."

In the statement, Caleb's parents expressed their gratitude for people's compassion. "Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those who he came into contact with," they said.

Schlitterbahn was shut down after the accident and will remain closed until Monday. The water slide will stay closed indefinitely, pending further investigation.

According to the park's website, the water slide is as high as 168 feet and seven inches (about 51 meters). Endi