Authorities in southeast Kansas have confirmed the recovery of 12-year-old Kollin Showalter’s body from the Neosho River, four days after a tragic train accident near Erie claimed the lives of two young boys. The announcement came Sunday from Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor, marking a heartbreaking conclusion to an exhaustive and emotionally charged search effort.
The fatal incident occurred Wednesday evening, when Kollin and 16-year-old Arthur Pollreis were walking along a railroad bridge spanning the Neosho River. Surveillance footage from the train’s onboard cameras showed both boys on the bridge just seconds before being struck. Investigators believe the pair was unable to escape in time.
Pollreis’s body was located shortly after the crash, but swift currents, high water levels, and dangerous debris severely hampered recovery efforts for Showalter.
On Sunday around noon, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) notified Sheriff Taylor of a possible sighting near the KGE Dam, located several miles south of U.S. Highway 400. Emergency personnel from multiple agencies, including KDWP and the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, responded and successfully recovered the body. The Neosho County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity as Kollin Showalter.
Throughout the multi-day search, rescue teams faced extreme conditions. Overflowing riverbanks, submerged hazards, and powerful currents created a hazardous environment for divers and sonar crews. On Saturday night, the operation was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns but resumed early Sunday as river conditions improved. Cadaver dogs were also deployed to aid in the recovery.
The deaths of Kollin and Arthur have left the Erie community reeling. Vigils, memorials, and acts of solidarity have sprung up across the region, uniting neighbors in grief. A memorial fund, titled the “Kollin Showalter and Arthur Pollreis Fund,” has been set up at Commercial Bank locations across southeast Kansas, with all proceeds going directly to the boys’ families.
The Erie School District, in partnership with the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, is offering free grief counseling to students and residents coping with the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are urging parents and guardians to talk to children about the dangers of train tracks and railroad structures, especially in rural areas where access points may seem harmless.
This devastating loss has become a somber reminder of the need for increased awareness around rail safety. Funeral arrangements for Kollin Showalter are expected to be announced in the coming days.