Two Kansas boys die in horrific accident after getting stuck on rural train tracks
Two boys were killed in a gut-wrenching accident after being hit by a train in rural Kansas.
Arthur Pollreis, 16, and Kollin Showalter, 12, were on a railroad bridge south of Erie on June 18 at around 12:40pm when police say they were 'unable to outrun the train.'
Neosho County deputies, EMS and firemen rushed to the gory scene after receiving an urgent report from the Union Pacific Railroad that two people had been struck.
Upon arrival, authorities immediately spotted Arthur's dead body. However, Kollin was nowhere to be found on the bridge above the Neosho River.
A massive search operation, including drones, search dogs, boats and a helicopter was launched to find the missing pre-teen.
Meanwhile, the Neosho County Sheriff's Office reviewed the available footage and evidence.
After learning what led to the harrowing incident, the search and rescue mission for Kollin was turned into a recovery operation.
The recovery team spent several days of scouring the water through 'very dangerous conditions' of high tides and rapid currents, the sheriff's office said.
Finally, the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks alerted Sheriff Greg Taylor that someone spotted a child's body floating in the river on Sunday.
'First responders were able to successfully recover the body,' Taylor wrote in a solemn statement, adding the corpse was taken to a corner's office.
'This has been a very hard week for everyone involved. I want to express my gratitude to every first responder and our community who contributed to our recovery efforts.'
Arthur, of Walnut, was adopted by his parents Randy and Leanne shortly after he was born. Leanne has since passed away, according to his obituary.
He was a high school sophomore who enjoyed various sports, including cross county, baseball and basketball. The teen also acted in school plays.
'Whether competing in athletics or performing under the lights, Arthur was engaged in school life and known among his peers and teachers alike,' the obituary reads.
'Arthur's life was marked by involvement, effort, and the many relationships he formed along the way.'
An obituary for Kollin, of Erie, has not been published yet, but a donation fund has been set up for the families of both boys.
Kollin's mother, Stephanie, shared heartfelt Facebook posts about her son, as well as the first responders who helped find his body.
In a tear-jerking tribute, she described her child and his love for nature.
'Kollin loved to fish and he loved the outdoors,' she began, noting how painful it is to look a photos of her son.
'He loved to explore and loved trying new science experiments. Was quick to help me when I was cooking. I can hear his sweet voice and I have moments it feels like he is right beside me.
'I miss him everyday that he is gone. I miss him getting into my hair products or stealing my shoes because his were wet from fishing.
'Hold your babies tight. Even in those moments you're tired and exhausted, don't take lil moments for granted. I love you Kollin so much and I know one day I will see you again!'
DailyMail.com has reached out to the sheriff's office for comment.
Arthur and Kollin's heartbreaking deaths come about two months after a Pennsylvania father and his two sons were hit and killed by an Amtrak train.
The family of three were fatally struck by the high-speed Acela train, which can reach speeds of up to 150mph, bound from Boston to Richmond, Virginia, near Bristol Station in April.
Christopher Cramp, 56, and his two sons, David, 30, and Thomas, 24, were identified as the victims in the tragic incident by friends and family on social media.
They were spotted as Bristol Borough police responded to reports of people on the tracks at Beaver and Prospect streets just before 6pm.
Police were swiftly moving to the rail line to remove them from the tracks when they witnessed all three family members get struck by the train, Police Chief Joe Moors said at a press conference.
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