On Sunday evening, a tragic incident on the Ohio Bridge claimed the lives of a mother and her adult daughter, while a toddler was injured and efforts were ongoing to locate a missing 5-year-old.
The Norfolk Southern train collided with the family as they were walking near the Mile Newton Bridge in Fremont, a small town located in northern Ohio by Lake Erie. Local reports from the Fremont Fire Station indicated that the victims ended up in the frigid waters of the Sandusky River after the accident.
Authorities confirmed that the 58-year-old mother and her 38-year-old daughter died on the spot, and paramedics transported the injured toddler to Toledo Hospital, according to Mayor Danny Sanchez during a press conference.
Mayor Sanchez expressed the community’s grief, stating, “This is a very unfortunate tragedy that hit our community.”
The family was visiting Fremont from Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a fishing trip, which is quite common during this time of year on the Sandusky River. Sanchez mentioned that many people come from various places to fish during this white bass season.
“What I think started out as a family fishing trip from Fort Wayne ended with a tragedy,” he remarked to reporters at the scene.
Following the incident, Norfolk Southern released a statement expressing their condolences. They conveyed their sadness over the situation and their commitment to cooperating with local authorities.
Local police, sheriff’s departments, and firefighters mounted a significant response to the scene. Divers continued searching for the missing child even after dark, and more teams were being deployed, stated Sanchez.
Additionally, reports revealed that Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) had reached out to offer assistance to Mayor Sanchez.
By around 10:30 PM, the train was back on its route, according to local news.
