A family’s fishing trip in Fremont turned into a heartbreaking tragedy Sunday night after a train hit multiple pedestrians on a railway bridge over the Sandusky River, killing two and injuring a toddler. A five-year-old child is still missing.

A Routine Fishing Trip Ends in Disaster

They came from Fort Wayne, Indiana — a large family looking to enjoy a quiet evening of white bass fishing along the Sandusky River. It was supposed to be a peaceful Sunday.

Instead, just after 7:30 p.m., a Norfolk Southern train struck several members of the group as they stood on a bridge near Hayes Avenue.

According to Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez, the two victims killed in the collision were a 58-year-old woman and her 38-year-old daughter. Their names have not yet been released publicly. A 14-month-old child was rushed to a hospital in Toledo. Another child, just five years old, is missing — presumed to have been swept away in the river.

Chaos on the Tracks and Along the River

Emergency crews from multiple agencies raced to the scene as dusk fell. Local police, fire departments, and even dive teams were deployed to the Sandusky River area.

Two hours later, search teams were still combing the water.

By midnight, the bridge remained cordoned off. The train, which had halted following the collision, started moving again around 11 p.m., Norfolk Southern confirmed.

Searchers stayed through the night. Lights, sonar, and boats scanned the dark waters. They were still searching as of Monday morning.

“This is a very, very unfortunate tragedy that has hit our community,” Mayor Sanchez said, visibly shaken. He described the area as a popular spot during white bass season. “People fish here all the time.”

Local and State Response Pours In

Support came swiftly.

U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno and State Rep. Gary Click both reached out to the city offering help, Sanchez confirmed.

Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern released a brief but somber statement.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts are with those affected, their loved ones, and the community during this difficult time. We are working closely with local authorities on their investigation.”

Fremont Police closed the Miles Newton Bridge, a pedestrian-accessible structure near the tracks. State Street, which runs parallel, remains open.

Fishing, Railways, and a Dangerous Crossroad

Locals say the railway bridge has always attracted foot traffic, even though it’s not meant for pedestrians.

Many use it as a shortcut to prime fishing spots during spring. But that shortcut has risks — and for this family, it proved fatal.

The city hasn’t yet confirmed whether there are official signs posted prohibiting pedestrian access on the bridge. Some residents say there are warning signs; others say they’ve faded over the years.

Still, the danger is obvious to those who know the area.

But to visitors unfamiliar with Fremont’s layout, it might not be so clear.

A local man, who asked not to be named, said he’s seen families on the bridge before. “You see people cross there sometimes — with strollers, fishing gear, even kids. But trains come fast.”

How It Happened: Timeline of the Incident

Here’s a breakdown of what’s known so far about the timeline leading up to and following the crash:

Authorities have not clarified how many family members were on the bridge or how they became caught in the path of the train.

Unanswered Questions Haunt a Grieving Community

There are so many unanswered questions right now — and not just about the accident itself.

Was the bridge marked properly?
Was there a lookout or warning before the train approached?
And why were pedestrians on a freight line to begin with?

Investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies — including Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and Sandusky County deputies — are piecing together answers.

So far, there are no indications of foul play or criminal activity. But the investigation is far from over.

One Family, Forever Changed

What started as a family outing ended in sirens, tears, and trauma.

The toddler is still being treated in Toledo. Her condition hasn’t been updated publicly. Her sibling is somewhere in the river. Search crews won’t stop until they find her.

• Two dead, both from Fort Wayne

• One toddler injured and hospitalized

• One child missing, possibly in the river

• A family left devastated in a town they only meant to visit for a weekend

Locals are grieving, even if they didn’t know the victims. For a small Ohio community like Fremont, a tragedy like this ripples deep and wide.

The Railroad’s Long History Meets Present-Day Tragedy

Norfolk Southern’s tracks run through dozens of Midwest towns, connecting cities across Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. It’s not uncommon for rail lines to intersect with areas of human activity, especially in small river towns like Fremont.

But with pedestrian fatalities on tracks rising nationally — 636 deaths reported in 2023 alone by the Federal Railroad Administration — questions about access, signage, and public safety keep coming up.

Mayor Sanchez acknowledged this might lead to “bigger conversations” about railway safety in Fremont. But first, he says, the city must get through the current crisis.

“We’re focused on supporting the family,” he said.

The community waits, hopes, and prays — especially for the five-year-old who hasn’t yet been found.