The body of a 12-year-old boy tragically killed after being struck by a train on train tracks in Kansas has been discovered in the Neosho River in Labette County. The young boy, identified as Kollin Showalter, along with 16-year-old Arthur Pollreis, were both victims of the fatal accident that occurred on Wednesday, June 18. The discovery of Showalter’s body came after days of search efforts by authorities and first responders following the tragic incident.
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Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor confirmed that the body of the 12-year-old boy was found in the river on Sunday, June 22, after a notification from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The location of the body was near the KGE Dam, a few miles south of Highway 400, where several response teams, including the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on the scene post-noon local time. Labette County Sheriff Darren Eichinger stated that a fisherman made the grim discovery of the boy’s remains.
The recovery efforts for Kollin Showalter were described as challenging by Sheriff Taylor, who expressed gratitude towards all involved in the search and recovery operations. The victim’s body has been transferred to the Neosho County Coroner for further examination. The tragic incident took place as Showalter and Pollreis were walking on a railroad bridge over the Neosho River near Erie, Kansas, when they were struck by an oncoming train, resulting in their untimely deaths.
Following the retrieval of Pollreis’ body shortly after the accident, it took several days before Showalter’s body was located. Water rescue and recovery teams deployed boats equipped with sonar to search the Neosho River in hopes of locating the missing boy. Additional resources, including cadaver dogs, were called in to support the search efforts, and despite challenges posed by dangerous water conditions, the determination of the responders led to the eventual recovery of Showalter’s body.
A memorial fund has been established for the families of Kollin Showalter and Arthur Pollreis at Commercial Bank in Erie, where contributions can be made. Funeral arrangements for the two young victims are forthcoming, according to a local business announcement. The community is invited to seek counselling support at Erie High School, with counselors available on a specified date to provide assistance during this difficult time.
This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with railway tracks and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines when near such areas. The loss of these young lives has deeply impacted the local community and emphasises the need for ongoing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The recovery of Kollin Showalter’s body brings a sense of closure to a harrowing search operation and offers some solace to the grieving families as they navigate through this heartbreaking ordeal.