Body found in Kansas river believed to be swimmer who disappeared early Sunday

Posted: September 1, 2013 - 1:07am
Updated: September 2, 2013 - 4:27pm

Update:

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A fisherman in Kansas City, Kansas reported finding a body in the Kansas river around 12:40 p.m. Monday.

The discovery was made near the Kansas Highway 32 bridge, just east of S. 59th Lane.

Kansas City, Kansas Police believe this is the man who disappeared in the river while swimming early Sunday morning in Edwardsville. (Original report below.) 

Police have not released the man's name, pending positive identification and family notification. 

Original Report:

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Firefighters from three area departments searched the Kansas river after a person reportedly fell in the water early Sunday.

A witness told firefighters that the man disappeared in the river near the jetty, which is just east of Interstate 435.

Kansas City, Kansas Fire dispatchers said they received the call shortly after 12:45 a.m. and dispatched Edwardsville Fire to begin a search of the area.

Edwardsville firefighters requested assistance from Kansas City, Kansas Fire with boats and Kansas City, Missouri Police with their helicopter. The Shawnee Fire Department was called to assist about 45 minutes later with additional boats.

Kansas City, Kansas Fire launched one airboat and had two bass boats that they were unable to launch due to shallow water. Shawnee Fire attempted to launch a shallow water boat from the Edwardsville boat ramp. They were also unsuccessful in their attempt to launch.

Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department Airboat 1
File image: Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell

The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department helicopter was over the river, for about an hour, with a search light and heat sensing cameras.

The missing man is said to be 44-years old. He was last seen wearing dark colored shorts and no shirt. Firefighters say that he was fishing with a group when he fell in and did not resurface.

Firefighters walked along both banks and did not report finding anything. Kansas City, Kansas Fire also had a crew downstream watching the river for any signs of the missing person.

Leavenworth County offered to send boats to assist in the search.

Authorities believe the man was swimming when he disappeared in the water.

Crews called off the search around 2:30 a.m. Sunday due to unsafe water conditions. They returned later Sunday morning and continued searching off and on most of the day.

Stay with Operation 100 News on this blog and on Twitter for the latest details as they become available. Remember where you heard this news first, Operation 100 News, reporting the news to the public as it breaks.

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Photos | JoCo man killed in single vehicle rollover crash

Posted: August 26, 2013 - 12:58am
Updated: August 26, 2013 - 5:14am

Photo Credit: Britt Nelson - @BrittJNelson
Used with permission - Scene as of 1:43 a.m.
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The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident this morning on the west side of the Interstate 435 loop.

Shawnee Police say they were called at 12:45 a.m. Monday, regarding an accident on northbound Interstate 435, between Johnson Drive and Holliday Drive.

Police arrived on the scene at 12:49 a.m., followed by the Shawnee Fire Department just a few minutes later.

Additional scene photos shown below this report.

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First responders report the crash scene to be just north of the 53rd Street bridge, near milepost 7.6.

Firefighter/Medics reported a one vehicle accident with very heavy damage. One person reported to be deceased and appeared to have been ejected in the crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol investigated the accident and has identified the victim as, 52-year-old, Ronald M. Wright of Overland Park.

Troopers say Wright was traveling northbound on Interstate 435, in an unknown lane, when he lost control of his 1993 Chevrolet Blazer. The SUV rolled multiple times, ejecting Mr. Wright. The vehicle then came to rest facing westbound on the right (outside) shoulder of the northbound lanes.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident, according to Troopers. Mr. Wright was not wearing a seat belt.

The Kansas Department of Transportation had traffic restricted traffic to only the left lane as the Highway Patrol investigated the crash. All lanes of the highway were reopened shortly after 4 a.m..

Photo Credit: Britt Nelson - @BrittJNelson
Used with permission
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Photo Credit: Britt Nelson - @BrittJNelson
Used with permission
Click image to view larger

Photo Credit: Britt Nelson - @BrittJNelson
Used with permission
Click image to view larger

Photo Credit: Britt Nelson - @BrittJNelson
Used with permission
Click image to view larger

Stay with Operation 100 News on this blog and on Twitter for the latest details as they become available. Remember where you heard this news first, Operation 100 News, reporting the news to the public as it breaks.

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All comments are moderated. Inappropriate and/or abusive comments will not be published. More information.