2 Women in Same Waterslide Raft as Boy Killed Speak Out
Two women who were in the same raft when 10-year-old Caleb Schwab died in a Kansas City water-slide accident earlier this month are speaking out for the first time.
Caleb, the son of a Kansas state lawmaker, suffered a fatal neck injury on the 168-foot-tall Verruckt ride at the Schlitterbahn water park Aug. 7. The Kansas City Police Department is investigating the accident.
The young victim was one of three passengers in the raft. The two other occupants — Hannah Barnes and Matraca Baetz — suffered serious facial injuries.
The two women, who are sisters, released a statement through their attorney Wednesday.
“We are pursuing a thorough investigation of this tragic event to insure that any and all measures are taken to prevent this from ever happening again,” the statement read. “Being mothers ourselves, we can only hope that Caleb’s family can find some comfort in knowing we are doing everything we know how to do to stop something so tragic from occurring again to any other family.”
The boy’s father, Rep. Scott Schwab of Kansas, also released a statement through his family’s attorney in which he thanked the public for their support.
“‘Thank You’ seems so inadequate to express our appreciation, but it is the only phrase we have. So, from the depths of our hearts, we thank you,” the Republican lawmaker said in the statement. “While we try to step forward into the new normal life without Caleb in our presence, we find hope with the current investigation into the incident to provide answers and assurances that such a tragedy would not strike again.”
Schlitterbahn officials said all rides are inspected daily before opening the waterpark.
In an earlier statement, Schlitterbahn officials said they were “deeply and intensely saddened for the Schwab family and all who were impacted by the tragic accident.”
“The family and each and every one of those affected are foremost on our minds and in our hearts today. We ask the community to please keep all of those impacted in your thoughts and prayers,” representatives for the water park said.
ABC News’ Linsey Davis contributed to this report.
Photo: ABCNews.com
