NEOSHO COUNTY —Two Kansas boys died in an accident Wednesday in Neosho County.
Just after 12:30p.m. the Neosho County 911 Center received a report from the Union Pacific Railroad that two individuals had been struck on the Railroad Bridge south of Erie near 115th Road, according to Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor.
The Sheriff’s Office, EMS, and members of the St. Paul Fire Department and the Erie Fire Department, and Union Pacific Railroad immediately responded to the scene.
First responders found 16-year-old Arthur Pollries of Walnut, Kansas, deceased, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
A thorough search of the area with available personnel was quickly initiated. A local individual was requested to respond to the scene with a drone. Kansas Deparatment of Wildlife and Parks responded with personnel, a drone and boat. KHP sent numerous personnel, helicopter, and search dogs in an attempt to find the body of 12-year-old Kollin Showwalter, of Erie, according to the KHP.
After reviewing the Engine Camera footage and physical evidence, the two children were on the bridge and unable to outrun the train. Unfortunately after reviewing the footage and physical evidence at the scene, the search went from hopeful rescue effort to a recovery effort.
The Neosho River is currently rising, nearly bank full, with a very swift current, and full of debris. Due to extremely dangerous condition.
The recovery will resume in Thursday. The sheriff's department has specialized swift water teams coming to assist with the ongoing search, according to Sheriff Taylor.
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