GREAT BEND – A rural Barton County man died in a swimming accident on Wednesday.

The Barton County Sheriff’s office reported officers responded to a location in the 200 block of South US 281 Highway, to a possible drowning.

Upon arrival deputies and EMS discovered the victim, identified as Ryan R. Fanshier, 36, rural Great Bend, had been removed from an above ground pool.

He was not breathing.

Members of the Great Bend Fire Department, who worked on the victim for an extensive period of time at the scene, employed CPR and advanced lifesaving measures.

Fanshier was transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital and was later pronounced deceased by the attending physician.

The Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the County Coroner is investigating the incident. It appears that Fanshier dove into the swimming pool and hit the bottom of the pool with his head, possibly causing head and neck injuries. The incident is being considered accidental in nature.