7-year-old boy drowns in Big Buffalo Creek near Stover

STOVER — A 7-year-old boy drowned Wednesday after losing his footing and being swept into a culvert by the current of Big Buffalo Creek in central Missouri.

Kendrick Killiebrew was swimming with his family at a low water crossing around noon when he slipped in shallow water and was swept downstream by the current, the Missouri State Water Patrol said. Kendrick’s mother, Megan Williams, and a friend tried to hold onto the boy as he was pulled into the culvert, but had to let go because of the current.

Williams and the friend ran to the other side of the culvert, but the boy did not wash out so they left the area to call for help, the water patrol said. Kendrick’s body, still wearing a type 3 personal flotation device, was found floating in 3 feet of water about a mile downstream.