Two boys killed after being hit by train in southeast Kansas

Update

ERIE, Kan. — It’s day two of the search for one of two boys hit and killed by a train in southeast Kansas Wednesday (6/18).

Law enforcement from across the region are continuing efforts to recover the body of one of the victims from the Neosho River near Erie.

Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the boys as Arthur Pollries, 16, of Walnut, and Kollin Showalter, 12, of Erie.

Authorities say the boys were walking on a railroad bridge over the Neosho River when they were struck.

Pollries’ body was recovered Wednesday, but Showalter was swept into the flooded river.

The search was suspended at sundown and resumed early Thursday morning (6/19). Crews are using helicopters, drones, boats, dogs, and specialized swift water rescue teams.

“Those guys are actually physically getting in the water and removing log jams and putting themselves at risk, trying to trying to help recover the body,” said Neosho County Sheriff, Greg Taylor.

The river’s rising level and swift current continue to pose dangerous conditions for the search teams.

“Unfortunately, my understanding is tomorrow (Friday) the water is going to rise as the water from John Redmond comes down. Until that water recedes, I don’t know how much luck we’re going to have,” said Sheriff Taylor.

Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, Chanute Fire Department, Kansas Task Force 4, Anderson County Search and Rescue, St. Paul Fire Department, Pittsburg Fire Department, Cherryvale Fire Department, Neodesha Fire Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and Union Pacific Railroad were all on scene to assist, the NCSO said.

---

ERIE, Kan. — An investigation continues in Erie, Kansas, after two boys were hit and killed by a train.

According to Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor, Arthur Pollries, 16, of Walnut, and Kollin Showwalter, 12, of Erie, were walking on the railroad trestle over the Neosho River when they were hit.

The call came in just after 12:30 p.m. Pollries’ body was recovered, and Showwalter went into the flooded river.

It resulted in a search through the late afternoon on Wednesday.

Taylor told us they used a helicopter, drones, boats, and dogs to help locate the boy’s body.

Swift water rescue teams from the Chanute and Anderson County Fire Departments returned Thursday morning despite the river’s rising water levels. Showwalter has not been located as of Thursday morning.

The Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Wildlife and Parks are assisting in the investigation. Next of kin has been notified for both of the boys.