Tragedy on the Tracks: One Teen Killed, Another Missing After Train Strikes Boys on Neosho River Bridge
NEOSHO RIVER, Kan. — June 19, 2025 — A heartbreaking tragedy has unfolded in southeast Kansas as search crews continue efforts to recover the body of a 12-year-old boy believed to have been struck and thrown into the Neosho River by a passing train on Wednesday. The incident occurred on a trestle bridge just south of Erie, Kansas, and has left the tight-knit communities of Erie and Walnut grieving and seeking answers.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the two boys — Arthur Pollries, 16, of Walnut, and Kollin Showwalter, 12, of Erie — were reportedly running along a train bridge that spans the river when they were struck by an oncoming train. The tragic collision happened in the late afternoon hours of June 18, under circumstances that remain under investigation.
Arthur Pollries was fatally injured at the scene. Emergency responders confirmed his death shortly after arriving. Kollin Showwalter was also struck, but his body was not located at the site, prompting an intensive water search operation in the Neosho River. Authorities believe the force of the impact may have thrown him into the swift-moving current below.
Local and state agencies, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Neosho County Sheriff’s Office, Erie Fire Department, and multiple volunteer search and rescue teams, have since been working around the clock in a desperate attempt to locate the missing boy. Boats, drones, divers, and K9 units have been deployed in the search, which has been hindered at times by murky water, swift currents, and dense underbrush along the riverbanks.
As of Thursday evening, June 19, the search has expanded several miles downstream from the trestle bridge. Officials are asking residents in the area to report any sightings or unusual activity along the riverbanks. Volunteers have also joined in, combing through difficult terrain in hopes of bringing closure to the grieving family.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Sheriff James Keating of Neosho County. “We are doing everything within our power to find Kollin and bring him home. The entire community has come together in support, and we’re grateful for that. But this is a somber and painful time for everyone involved.”
School officials in Erie and Walnut confirmed that both boys were students in the Erie-Galesburg USD 101 school district. Grief counselors have been made available for students and staff, and local churches have opened their doors for prayer and support gatherings.
In a statement, Superintendent Denise Morris expressed deep sorrow over the incident:
“Arthur and Kollin were bright young students with their whole lives ahead of them. This tragic accident has left a hole in our school family. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Friends and classmates have already begun leaving flowers, notes, and candles near the entrance to the bridge and along the riverbank, creating a growing memorial site to honor the boys.
Railroad officials from the company that operates the train involved in the incident are cooperating with authorities and conducting their own internal review. While train accidents involving pedestrians are rare in rural Kansas, safety experts note that trestle bridges are particularly dangerous due to their narrow design, lack of pedestrian space, and the inability for trains to stop quickly.
Authorities urge the public to avoid walking or running on railroad tracks and bridges, emphasizing that these areas are both private property and inherently hazardous.
As the search continues, the community remains on edge, united in sorrow and hoping for a resolution. Local officials have pledged to continue efforts until every possibility is exhausted.
Anyone with information or tips related to the incident or the ongoing search for Kollin Showwalter is urged to contact the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 244-3888.
A vigil is being planned for both boys in the coming days, as the towns of Erie and Walnut prepare to mourn the loss of two young lives taken far too soon.