LABETTE COUNTY, Kan. – The body of 12-year-old Kollin Showalter, who was killed alongside a friend in a tragic train accident last week, was recovered from the Neosho River on Sunday, authorities confirmed.
Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor said he was notified shortly after noon by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) regarding a possible body sighting near the KGE Dam, a few miles south of Highway 400.
A fisherman had discovered the body, and Labette County first responders, including KDWP and the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene.
The body was recovered and positively identified as Kollin Showalter, before being turned over to the Neosho County Coroner.
Train Accident Claimed Lives of Two Kansas Boys
On Wednesday, Kollin Showalter, 12, and Arthur Pollreis, 16, were walking on a railroad bridge over the Neosho River near Erie, Kansas, when they were struck and killed by a train.
Footage captured by a camera on the train’s engine showed both boys on the tracks, apparently unable to escape in time.
While Pollreis’s body was recovered shortly after the incident, the search for Showalter’s body continued for several days under challenging conditions.
High Water and Debris Hindered Search Efforts
Rescue and recovery teams faced dangerous conditions on the Neosho River, including overflowing banks, fast-moving currents, and significant debris.
Specialized swift water rescue teams, equipped with sonar and cadaver dogs, searched extensively throughout the week.
Despite their efforts, Sheriff Taylor announced Saturday that the search was temporarily suspended due to the hazardous conditions and would resume once waters receded.
Community Support and Counseling for Families
“This has been a very hard week for everyone involved,” said Sheriff Taylor. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to every first responder and community member who participated in the recovery.”
In response to the tragedy, a memorial fund titled the “Kollin Showalter and Arthur Pollreis Fund” has been established at Commercial Bank in Erie.
Donations will be collected for one month and distributed to the families. Contributions can be made at any Southeast Kansas Commercial Bank branch.
Additionally, the Erie School District has partnered with the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center to provide free grief counseling for students, families, and community members affected by the loss.
The recovery of Kollin Showalter’s body brings closure to a devastating week in southeast Kansas.
As the community mourns the lives of two young boys lost too soon, local support efforts—from donations to mental health resources—are helping families cope in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.