State

College student, 21, drowns while swimming with friends in Kansas river

Police siren
Police siren

A 21-year-old man drowned Saturday while swimming with friends in the Neosho River in southeast Kansas.

The man was an international college student from Fiji and was attending Neosho County Community College. His identity was not released as officials are working to notify his family, the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday in a social media post.

Deputies from the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office responded at 6 p.m. to a drowning call east of Chanute. They learned that the student had been swimming in the Neosho River with friends.

“Witnesses stated the man jumped off of the dam and became caught in the current and drowned,” the sheriff’s office said.

His body was recovered and an autopsy is being done. The Chanute Fire Department and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks assisted.

Chanute is a city of just over 8,500 a little less than two hours east of Wichita.

This story was originally published August 24, 2024 at 11:00 PM.

Eduardo Castillo
The Wichita Eagle
Eduardo covers crime and breaking news for The Wichita Eagle. His previous work experience includes stints at KWCH 12 Eyewitness News, the local CBS affiliate in Wichita, and as a marketing manager for a local real estate team. In addition to writing, Eduardo also enjoys still photography and cinematography. News tips? email at Edcastillo@wichitaeagle.com or call 316-268-6213.
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