Riders Say Kansas Waterslide Had Loose Straps

Two people who have been on the Kansas attraction on which a young boy was killed have raised concerns about safety restraints.

Two people who have ridden a waterslide on which a young boy died of a neck injury have said shoulder straps snapped or popped off during previous rides.

Ten-year-old Caleb Schwab was killed while riding in a boat on the Verruckt attraction at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City on Sunday.

Emergency services found him dead in a pool at the end of the 168ft-tall water ride, billed as the world's tallest.

The circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated.

Paul Oberhauser told television station KCTV that when he went on the ride in July, the safety restraints were not working properly.

He said his shoulder strap "busted loose" and he "just held on". He also said he told staff at the park about it.

In a separate interview, Kenneth Conrad told WDAF-TV he rode the waterslide last year with a friend whose shoulder strap came "completely off".

He said he had not filed a complaint.

The park is yet to comment on the claims.

Caleb was visiting the park with his dad, Republican state representative Scott Schwab.

Two women in his raft, who are not related to Caleb, suffered minor facial injuries and were treated at local hospitals. 

His parents, who have three other sons, have asked for privacy to grieve.

In a statement issued a statement on Sunday night, they said: "Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with.

"As we try to mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in our saviour Jesus and they are forever together now.

"We will see him another day."

The Verruckt, which means "insane" in German, was opened in 2014, and has 264 stairs leading to the top.

The park is set to reopen, though the waterslide remains closed.