5-year-old boy drowns in creek near James River

MENNO — Hutchinson County Coroner Roger Simonsen confirmed that a 5-year-old boy died Thursday in a drowning accident in a creek near the Maxwell Hutterite Colony.

The child was a member of the colony, which is located beside the James River about four miles southwest of Menno.

Hutchinson County Sheriff Jim Zeeb said when the call for aid went out at 5:50 p.m., the boy had been missing for about 45 minutes. The child’s body was found around 6:30 p.m.

Simonsen believes the child’s body was found by colony members in a small creek off the west side of the river just north of the colony.

The boy’s name is being withheld pending notification of family.

Menno Fire and Rescue, Menno Ambulance and Lesterville first responders helped with the search, Simonsen said.

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