KCK Firefighters recover body of 11-year-old who drowned in the river

Posted: August 22, 2020 - 10:25 p.m.
Updated: August 25, 2020 - 5:25 a.m.


UPDATE: Kansas City, Kansas Police say they were called to the Kansas River near the Turner Diagonal about 5:30 Monday evening after a boater reported a body.

In a news release, police say they fire department launched two boats onto the river just before 6 p.m. and recovered the body near the western bank of the river under the Turner Diagonal at 6:14 p.m.

Police have now identified the girl as Rebecca Van Sui Par, 11, of Kansas City, Kansas.

"The preliminary investigation indicates an accidental drowning, but will remain under investigation by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department's detectives unit pending autopsy results," the release said.

----Original report----

Kansas City, Kansas firefighters searched the Kansas River for about six hours after a child was reported missing while swimming with family on Saturday afternoon.

Kansas City, Kansas Fire established their command post on the I-435 overpass.
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All photos ©Mike Frizzell - Operation 100 News

Police and firefighters were called to the river, just east of the Interstate 435 overpass about 3:30 p.m.

"Upon arrival, officers were informed that while a family was playing near a sand bar in the Kansas River a beach ball was stuck causing it to land in a portion of the river where the current was moving rapidly and undercurrent was present," Officer Dustin Dierenfeldt of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department said in a news release.

Ofc. Dierenfeldt says an 11-year-old girl entered the river trying to retrieve the ball when she was sucked under the water surface.

"One adult and two juveniles entered the water to rescued the 11-year-old, but also required rescue," Ofc. Dierenfeldt said.

Shawnee Police assisted with contacting the family on the south side of the river.

Firefighters from the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department searched the river until 9 p.m. with four boats and the assistance of a helicopter from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department's helicopter assisted with the search on Saturday.

About 7 p.m., the Overland Park Police Department's dive team arrived at the Turner boat ramp and began their search of the river. The dive team is equipped with Sonar capabilities to better see under the water.

KCK Fire ended their search for the night at 9 p.m.,  At 10 p.m., Kansas City, Kansas Police said the girl had not been located and efforts had shifted from rescue to recovery.

Firefighters returned Sunday morning and searched the river from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. with three boats. As of 5 p.m., KCK Police say the girl has not been located.

KCK Police say the incident is under investigation by their Criminal Investigations Bureau. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).


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