Bourbon County youth drowns in Verdigris River

Friday, July 11, 2014

A local teenager died in a reported accidental drowning that occurred July 4 in Independence, law enforcement authorities confirmed this week.

Independence Chief of Police Harry Smith said 18-year-old Matthew Wiebelhaus, of rural Garland, is believed to have drowned after witnesses saw him unable to escape the currents of the Verdigris River in Independence and not return to the surface.

Smith said the drowning was reported Friday afternoon and took place at the city dam along the river in Independence.

"He was down at the river with some friends and decided to go in and swim," Smith said. "Those waters are extremely fast."

Smith said swimmers in the river often "don't understand the river and the undertow." He added he recently talked with other authorities about several similar incidents that have occurred at the same location in the past.

According to a report by the Montgomery County Chronicle, the drowning was reported at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 4 at the end of East Pine Street near the river dam in Independence.

Following the report of the drowning, emergency responders arrived and remained on scene until the body was recovered about 9:30 a.m. Sunday about one mile from the dam, Smith said.

"The (Independence) police department were the initial responders," he said. "I had an officer that actually saw him go under."

Other responding agencies included the Independence Fire Department, rural fire department, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

"They remained on the scene," Smith said.

Independence authorities also received assistance on Saturday from rescue units from Crawford and Labette counties, which sent swift water rescue teams, Smith said.

"They searched the area attempting to locate the victim's body," he said.

Smith said he believed the incident to be an accident and no foul play is suspected.

"The victim was taken for an autopsy," he said. "All indications are that it was an accidental drowning."