SILOAM SPRINGS -- A teen who drowned Tuesday was remembered Wednesday as a "great kid, full of life."

Evan Thomas, 16, drowned in the Illinois River near the Whitewater Recreation Park. The death was ruled an accidental drowning, said Coroner Daniel Oxford.

The Siloam Springs Fire Department, Benton County Swift Water Rescue Team and the Benton County Dive Team were dispatched about 4:20 p.m. after a 911 call about a missing boy. Thomas' body was found about 9 p.m., said Greg Neely, Siloam Springs public safety director.

Thomas' body was found about 200 yards downstream from the last rapid and about 150 yards downstream from the edge of the water park, said Holland Hayden, city communications director.

The park is at 19253 Fisher Ford Road, about 4 miles south of the city.

Thomas wasn't wearing a life jacket, said Keshia Guyll, public information officer for the Benton County Sheriff's Office. There's no indication alcohol or drugs were involved, and there was nothing suspicious about the drowning, she said.

Guyll estimated the water where Thomas was found was about knee deep. Witnesses didn't know exactly where Thomas went under, but Guyll said he was found about 40 to 50 yards from where he was last seen.

Thomas may have had a medical condition that caused leg cramping and numbness, Guyll said. Deputies think it's possible that could have played a role in the drowning.

Oxford said he didn't know what caused Thomas to drown. Any guess would be "a huge speculation," he said.

Thomas was a member of the Siloam Springs High School swim team and the Siloam Springs Flyers, a summer swim team, according to Stephanie Goddard, his coach.

Goddard coached Thomas on both swim teams for the past five years.

"We are devastated by the loss of such an incredible young man who will be missed by his coaches and teammates," she said.

Goddard said Thomas was an excellent swimmer. She described him as a loving teammate with a huge heart and said he was very sensitive and always wanted to please.

"He loved to joke and always had a smile on his face," she said. "He was very loved. We are now going to take this time to refocus and figure out how to move on without him."

More than 200 students and adults attended a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at the First Baptist Church, according to Jason Kelly, youth pastor. They spent several hours praying and offering each other encouragement, he said. A second prayer meeting was planned Wednesday night.

"Evan was a great kid, full of life and involved in lots of sports and band," Kelly said.

Thomas was very active in church, had lots of friends and was liked by everyone, Kelly said.

The water park opened at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Neely said. The park's grand opening, set for June 28, was canceled out of respect for the family, he said.

The park has been open since February. It includes two engineered rapids, a swimming area with riverside seating, a paved walking trail, a boulder for climbing, a rain garden, picnic area, a changing area and portable toilets. The rapids are class II and III.

NW News on 06/19/2014