Erie Community Mourns as Body of 12-Year-Old Kollin Showalter is Recovered After Tragic Train Accident

The tragic search is over, as the body of 12-year-old Kollin Showalter was found on Sunday, nearly five days after he and 16-year-old Arthur Pollreis were struck and killed by a Union Pacific train on a railroad bridge over the Neosho River. 

The discovery marks a somber end to an extensive search effort that gripped Neosho County and drew support from across the region.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks notified authorities around noon on Sunday of a possible sighting of Showalter’s body near the KG&E Dam, just south of Highway 400 in Labette County, approximately 20 miles from the site of the tragic incident. The body was recovered by authorities and confirmed to be that of Showalter, then turned over to the Neosho County Coroner for further examination.

The tragedy unfolded on June 18 when Showalter and Pollreis were running southbound on the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge near 115th Road, about a mile and a half south of Erie. Camera footage reviewed by the Kansas Highway Patrol revealed the boys were struck by a southbound train, an accident that claimed both their lives. Pollreis’ body was found shortly after the incident, but Showalter remained missing, prompting a large-scale search operation.

Search efforts were exhaustive, involving drones, planes, helicopters, boats, sonar systems, divers, law enforcement K9 units, cadaver dogs, and shoreline search crews. 

On Saturday, authorities announced the suspension of the active search because of dangerous water conditions, though efforts continued in a limited capacity until the breakthrough on Sunday.

A fund, named the “Kollin Showalter and Arthur Pollreis Fund,” has been established to support the families of the two boys. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, but preliminary reports indicate no foul play.