NEOSHO COUNTY, Kan. — The search for a 12-year-old Erie boy who, along with another teen, was struck by a train as they were running across a Union Pacific Railroad Bridge over the Neosho River south of Erie last Wednesday has been suspended.
Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor said in a release Saturday night the search was called off because of rising waters in the river due to releases from John Redmond Reservoir. Releases from John Redmond that began Friday morning which at the nearest upstream forecast point, Iola, are currently forecast to stay elevated into at least midweek.
Searchers utilizing drones, planes, helicopters, boats, sonar systems, divers, law enforcement K9’s cadaver dogs and shoreline search crews have been used in the search for Kollin Showalter. The body of the second victim, 16-year-old Arthur Pollries of Walnut, was found Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriff Taylor again expressed thanks to the many responders, including the property owner that allowed them to stage and deploy from his boat ramp and property, and to those who provided food and water for the responders, some of whom traveled across the state to help, also asking for continued prayers for both families involved.
