Boy dies on 'world's biggest waterslide'

New York: A 12-year-old boy has died on a waterslide - billed as the world's tallest - at a park in Kansas.

Speeds on the Verruckt, a 168-foot tall slide at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, can reach as fast as 70 mph.

He was identified as Caleb Thomas Schwab the son of Scott Schwab, a member of the state legislature.

"Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with," said a statement released by Mr Schwab and his wife, who asked for privacy as their family grieved. 

Winter Prosapio, spokeswoman, said the park would be closed on Sunday and Monday as the death was investigated.

“We are saddened to share that a young boy died on Verruckt this afternoon,” she said. "Given that safety is our first priority, we have closed our Kansas City park and we have closed the ride pending a full investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time."

No further details were given of how the child died.

The park's website says Verruckt is the largest waterslide in the world – taller than the Statue of Liberty - and riders must be at least 54 inches tall.

It takes its name from the German word for “insane”.

Riders must climb 264 steps to reach the top of its 17-storey height.

It opened in July 2014 after its opening date was delayed  for additional safety testing.

“A lot of the adjustments we were making have been made,” a spokesperson for the park said at the time. “Nobody’s really done this before, so we’ve got to kind of expect the unexpected.”