A preliminary investigation into what caused a 10-year-old boy to be ejected from a water slide in Dublin over the weekend indicates that "puddling of water" in the slide's trough may have caused him to hydroplane, according to officials.
"We're reviewing appropriate water levels at bottom of the trough," said Erika Monterroza, who was speaking on behalf of Cal-OSHA. "We’re investigating the accident and the factors that led to that."
An investigation remains ongoing, and investigators are trying to determine how much water should have been in the slide's flat section, which is designed to slow riders down, according to Monterroza.
Cal-OSHA is not discussing any fines or citations at this point in time, Monterozza said.
Video captured by the Bay Area News Group shows the boy accelerate down the three-story slide. As he reaches the lower trough, his body glides across the slide's side wall before skidding across the concrete. He suffered some scratches, and his parents took to him a hospital, but he was later released.
A number of tests were conducted to test the slide's safety before the park's grand opening Saturday, according to city officials. Cal-OSHA on Friday gave the ride the green light to open.
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Prior to being permitted, the ride was found to be in need of repairs and adjustments, according to documents provided by Cal-OSHA. Concerns raised by inspectors about the ride included missing documentation, sharp aluminum fencing, exposed bolts, questions about water quality maintenance and more. Those issues were subsequently addressed, and the ride was allowed to be opened to the public, according to Cal-OSHA.
The 31,000-square-foot, $43 million water park opened just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
