Body of 12-Year-Old Boy Killed While Running on Train Tracks Discovered in River
The body of a 12-year-old boy killed by an oncoming train in Kansas was discovered on Sunday, June 22
The body was identified as Kollin Showalter
Showalter and 16-year-old Arthur Pollreis were killed in the accident togetherThe body of a 12-year-old killed after being hit by a train on Wednesday, June 18, was discovered in the Neosho River in Labette County, Kan., on Sunday, June 22.
Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor confirmed he was notified by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) about a sighting of the body in the river, per local news outlet Fox 4. KDWP, the Labette County Sheriff's Office and several first responders arrived on the scene near the KGE Dam, a couple of miles south of Highway 400, just after 12 p.m. local time on Sunday, the outlet reported.
Labette County Sheriff Darren Eichinger said a fisherman found the boy's remains, per Fox 4.
'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,' Taylor told the news station.
The body has been transported to the Neosho County Coroner, per KWCH. The victim has been identified as Kollin Showalter. Showalter and Arthur Pollreis, who was 16, were walking on a railroad bridge over the Neosho River near Erie, Kan., when they were hit and killed by an oncoming train.
Authorities recovered Pollreis' body shortly after the accident, but were unable to locate Showalter's body for several days. Water rescue and recovery teams searched the Neosho River with boats equipped with sonar.
On Friday, June 20, additional resources, including cadaver dogs, were brought in to assist. Search and rescue was suspended on Saturday, June 21, amid dangerous water conditions, before ultimately resuming and discovering the body on Sunday.
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A memorial fund for the families of the two boys has been set up at Commercial Bank in Erie. Donations can be made at any Kansas Commercial Bank location. Funeral arrangements for Showalter and Pollreis are to be announced, per a Facebook post from local business Parsons Livestock Auction.
Counselors will be available to the community on Monday, June 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Erie High School, per Fox 4.
PEOPLE contacted the Labette County Sheriff's Office and the Neosho County Sheriff's Office but did not immediately hear back.
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