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Barton County man drowns in swimming pool
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A Barton County man died in an apparent accidental drowning south of Great Bend late Wednesday night, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said Thursday morning.

At about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a location in the 200 block of South U.S. 281, for a possible drowning. Upon arrival, Sheriff’s officers and Great Bend Fire Department Emergency Medical Services discovered Ryan R. Fanshier, 36 of rural Great Bend, had been removed from an above-ground pool. 

Bellender said Fanshier was not breathing. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and advanced lifesaving measures were employed by members of the Great Bend EMS, who worked on him for an extensive period of time at the scene. He was transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital and was later pronounced dead by the attending physician at the hospital. 

The Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the county coroner are investigating the incident. But, Bellendir said it appears that the subject dove into the swimming pool and impacting the bottom of the pool with his head, possibly causing head and neck injuries.

The incident is being considered accidental in nature.