LABETTE COUNTY, Kan. (KSNF) — The body of a 12-year-old boy who was killed after being hit by a train in Kansas last week has been found.
Just after noon on Sunday, Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor said he was notified by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) of a possible sighting of a body on the Neosho River in Labette County.
KDWP, along with the Labette County Sheriff’s Office and several first responders, arrived at the scene near the KGE Dam, a couple of miles south of Highway 400.
The body was recovered by authorities and confirmed to be that of Kollin Showalter, 12, and was turned over to the Neosho County Coroner.
Labette County Sheriff Darren Eichinger said a fisherman found the boy’s body.
On Wednesday, Showalter and another boy, Arthur Pollreis, 16, were on a railroad bridge over the Neosho River near Erie, Kansas, when they were hit and killed by a train.
Camera footage from the train’s engine showed the two boys on the bridge, unable to outrun the oncoming train.
Shortly after the accident, authorities were able to recover the body of Pollreis but were unable to find Showalter’s body.
River Conditions Hinder Recovery Efforts
Since Wednesday afternoon, search crews had been met with difficult conditions on the Neosho River, including high water levels that are overflowing the river’s banks, a very swift current, and a lot of debris.
Despite the risks, swift water rescue and recovery teams have been in the water, systematically searching the Neosho River with boats equipped with sonar. On Friday, additional resources, including cadaver dogs, were brought in to assist.
Late Saturday, Sheriff Taylor said the search had been suspended due to the dangerous water conditions. He said the search would resume once the water receded to a normal level.
“This has been a very hard week for everyone involved. I want to express my gratitude to every first responder and our community who contributed to our recovery efforts,” said Taylor.
Memorial Fund Created To Aid Victims’ Families
A memorial fund for the families of the two boys has been set up at Commercial Bank in Erie.
Donations made to the “Kollin Showalter and Arthur Pollreis Fund” will be collected for one month and given to the families.
Donations can be made at any southeast Kansas Commercial Bank location.
To help those affected by this tragic loss, the Erie School District has partnered with the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center to offer free grief counseling.