A Mother and Daughter Killed, Infant injured, and Toddler Missing as Train Strikes Family Crossing Fremont, Ohio Train tracks

Emergency responders at the scene where a train hit multiple people in Fremont, Ohio, on Sunday night

A devastating train accident in Fremont, Ohio, has left two members of a visiting family dead and a five-year-old child missing after being believed to have been thrown into the Sandusky River. The tragic incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday near the Miles Newton Bridge, where a freight train struck multiple individuals walking on or near the railroad tracks.

Authorities confirmed the deceased victims as a 58-year-old mother and her 32-year-old daughter. Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez stated that the family had traveled from Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a fishing trip when the fatal event unfolded. Officials have not released the names of the victims.

A train sits idle on the tracks after striking multiple pedestrians Sunday evening, May 18, 2025, in Fremont, Ohio

Emergency crews, including police, firefighters, and water rescue units, rushed to the scene immediately after the collision was reported. Search efforts for the missing five-year-old child are ongoing, with dive teams scouring the Sandusky River. Officials believe the impact of the collision hurled the child into the water.

A one-year-old infant, also involved in the incident, was pulled from the water by a bystander who immediately performed CPR until emergency responders arrived. The baby was transported to a nearby hospital, but the child’s current condition remains undisclosed.

Firefighters stand near a train car at a crossing on Sunday

Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton confirmed that the infant was rescued by a witness and that the situation was being treated as a mass casualty incident due to the scale and emotional impact.

The portion of the bridge where the accident occurred is not commonly accessed by pedestrians, according to Mayor Sanchez. The bridge was temporarily closed for investigation and rescue operations but was reopened around 10:30 p.m. Authorities are urging the public to stay away from the area as investigations continue.

First responders search the waterways looking for a missing child after the incident

Norfolk Southern, the railway company operating the train, expressed condolences in a public statement, saying, "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."

The exact circumstances leading up to the family being on the tracks remain unclear. Investigators are now focused on piecing together the events that led to this heartbreaking loss.