Ohio train hits pedestrians, leaving 2 dead
Authorities are continuing to search for a missing 5-year-old child who was with them at the time of the incident.
Two women were fatally struck by a train while walking on a railway bridge in Fremont, Ohio, on Sunday evening, according to the city's mayor.
Authorities are continuing to search for a missing 5-year-old child who was with them at the time of the incident.
The tragic accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on a bridge spanning approximately 40 feet above the Sandusky River.
The victims, aged 38 and 58, were hit as the train crossed the bridge. Fremont, where the incident took place, is located roughly 40 miles southeast of Toledo.
Mayor Danny Sanchez confirmed the details and said efforts to locate the missing child continued overnight.
A 1-year-old was pulled from the Sandusky River and taken to the hospital, while emergency teams continued searching early Monday for a missing 5-year-old, according to Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez.
The child’s condition was not disclosed, and it remains uncertain whether either child was struck by the train.
Mayor Sanchez noted that the victims seemed to be part of an extended family visiting from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
They had come to the area, known for its spring white bass fishing, to spend time by the river.
"It looks like they were simply trying to enjoy a day by the Sandusky River," the mayor said, adding that the railway bridge was clearly marked as off-limits to pedestrians.
Authorities have not confirmed which railway company operated the train.
David Tucker III, 20, was fishing nearby when he heard the train’s horn sounding as it approached. He said the horn blew intermittently before the engineer held it down continuously as the train neared the bridge.
Tucker said he then saw what appeared to be four or five people falling from the trestle into the river. He recalled only catching sight of their feet as they floated downstream.
He dialed 911 at 7:25 p.m.
His father, David Tucker Jr., had just gotten home from work when he heard the train blaring and saw people in distress near the river from his back window.
Realizing his son was nearby, he quickly called to check on him.
According to both Tuckers, the group may have been trying to cross the trestle, which is posted with “no trespassing” signs.
