US lawmaker's son dies on 'world's largest water slide'

The boy who died on a Kansas water slide billed as the largest in the world has been confirmed as the son of a Kansas state lawmaker.

In this July 9, 2014 file photo, riders are propelled by jets of water as they go over a hump while riding a water slide called "Verruckt". Source: AAP

The son of a Kansas state lawmaker has died on an American water slide that is said to be the largest in the world, according to officials and the boy's family.

Authorities did not immediately identify the boy who died on Sunday at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, in Kansas City but Kansas state representative Scott Schwab and his wife have since released a statement confirming it was their son Caleb Thomas Schwab.

"Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with," said the statement, which asked for privacy as the family grieves.

Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said the boy died on one of the park's main attractions, Verruckt, a 51.2 metre high water slide with 264 stairs leading to the top.

The slide's name means "insane" in German.

Specific details about what led to the boy's death have not been provided with the park closed for investigations.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time," Prosapio said in a statement, later confirming the boy's family were also at the water park.

Authorities initially said the victim was 12, but Clint Sprague, a pastor who is acting as a spokesman for the family, said Caleb was 10.

Verruckt was certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. Riders go down the slide in multi-person rafts and have to be at last 137 centimetres tall, the park's website says.

This Nov. 2013 file photo shows Schlitterbahn's new Verruckt speed slide/water coaster in Kansas City. Source: AAP

The slide's 2014 opening was delayed a few times, though the operators did not provide reasons for the delays. Two media sneak preview days in 2014 were cancelled because of problems with a conveyor system that hauls the heavy rafts to the top of the slide.

In a news article linked to the news release announcing a 2014 delay, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry told USA Today that he and senior designer John Schooley had based their calculations when designing the slide on roller coasters, but that didn't translate well to a water slide like Verruckt.