Collapse of Water Slide Blamed on Excess Weight

CONCORD, Calif. — Waterworld USA may reopen its slides next week as soon as investigators have completed their work to determine the cause of the collapse that killed one teenager and injured 32 others.

Meanwhile, two of the most seriously injured Napa High School students showed continued improvement.

On Thursday, an independent safety inspector said too much weight--not structural weakness--caused the water slide to twist apart.

Dr. John Hunsucker--an engineering professor from the University of Houston who was hired by the water slide company--said his investigation so far has not revealed any problems with the ride structure.

Hunsucker believes the slide can hold at least 10 people at one time, but he is not sure how many more it could support.

Officials from Premier Parks, owner of Waterworld USA, have maintained that the collapse was caused when about 30 Napa High School students rushed a lifeguard in an attempt to go together down the slide, which tore apart 37 feet from the ground.

Engineers with the equipment’s Canadian manufacturers, Whitewater West of Richmond, B.C., also have placed the fault on students.

Students have acknowledged they were trying to get as many people as possible on the ride. Some have claimed they weren’t warned to stop, but others admit the lifeguard on duty was blowing a whistle in warning.

The investigation by the park as well as a probe by the city are continuing.