Mitokala, 58, and Daughter O. Naing, 38, Killed in Fremont Train Collision; 5-Year-Old Granddaughter Missing in Sandusky River After Tragic Fishing Outing Near Railway Bridge
Mitokala, 58, and Daughter O. Naing, 38, Killed in Fremont Train Collision; 5-Year-Old Granddaughter Missing in Sandusky River After Tragic Fishing Outing Near Railway Bridge
FREMONT, OH — What began as a serene family fishing trip on a warm May evening ended in devastating tragedy for a resettled refugee family, as a freight train collided with multiple pedestrians on a railroad bridge in Fremont, Ohio, claiming the lives of Mitokala, 58, and her daughter O. Naing, 38. Both were originally from the Mamu Refugee Camp before resettling in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The collision, which occurred on Sunday, May 18, has also left a 5-year-old girl—believed to be Naing’s daughter and Mitokala’s granddaughter—missing, feared to have been swept away in the swift current of the Sandusky River.
Authorities are continuing a desperate search and recovery operation, as grief envelops both the local Ohio community and the close-knit refugee circles in Indiana.
The fatal incident took place around 6:15 p.m. near the Miles Newton Bridge in Fremont, a small city roughly 90 minutes west of Cleveland. This stretch of track between Toledo and Cleveland runs adjacent to the Sandusky River, which flows into Lake Erie and is a popular site during the spring season for white bass fishing.
According to investigators and family members, Mitokala and O. Naing had taken their children and grandchildren to the area for a fishing excursion. What precisely led them to be on or near the tracks remains under investigation, but authorities believe they may have ventured onto the railway bridge that crosses the river, unaware or unable to move in time as the train approached.
The CSX freight train was en route through the region when it collided with members of the family on or near the bridge. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but for Mitokala and Naing, the impact was fatal.
A 14-month-old girl who was also at the scene sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Her condition has been described as stable but critical.
Tragically, a 5-year-old girl—believed to have been standing close to the riverbank or perhaps on the bridge with her grandmother and mother—was not accounted for at the scene. It is now feared she fell or was thrown into the river during the collision.
Search and Rescue Mission: Hope Amidst Desperation
Rescue crews from the Fremont Fire Department, Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, and local volunteer dive teams launched an immediate search of the Sandusky River. Boats with sonar equipment scanned the waters late into the night, while drones with thermal imaging combed the riverbanks.
The current in the Sandusky River is known to be strong, especially in spring following seasonal rains. Officials have expressed growing concern that the child may have been swept downstream, complicating recovery efforts.
Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez, visibly emotional, addressed the media on Monday morning:
“This is an unspeakable loss for a family that has already endured so much. Our hearts break for them. We will not rest until we have done everything possible to find the missing child and bring some measure of closure to this tragedy.”
The Mayor acknowledged the popularity of the area for fishing and urged residents to exercise caution near railway tracks and bridges, emphasizing that “these places can be deceptively dangerous, especially with children present.”
Victims’ Background: From Refugee Struggles to Resettlement
Mitokala and O. Naing’s story is one of resilience. Both women were part of the Burmese ethnic minority who had been displaced due to longstanding conflict and persecution in Myanmar. They had spent years in the Mamu Refugee Camp—located along the Thai-Myanmar border—before being granted resettlement in the United States.
After arriving in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the family became part of a growing Burmese community, working hard to build a new life. O. Naing, according to friends, worked in local manufacturing and was known for her quiet strength and devotion to her children. Mitokala, despite her age, took on a grandmotherly role, helping care for the younger children while adjusting to life in a new country.
Their deaths have sent shockwaves through Fort Wayne’s Burmese community. Local leaders are organizing vigils and support efforts for the surviving family members, including the hospitalized toddler and the ongoing search for the missing child.
Investigation Underway: Questions Without Answers
The Fremont Police Department, in coordination with CSX Railroad and the Sandusky County Coroner’s Office, is investigating the incident.
As of this writing, officials have not determined whether the family was aware of the train’s approach or whether there were warning signals in operation at the time of the accident. The stretch of track where the incident occurred is not known for having pedestrian crossings, which raises further questions about access, safety, and visibility on the bridge.
“We are meticulously reviewing all surveillance data, train logs, and signal records,” said Fremont Police Chief Kimberly Hartwell. “At the moment, we’re treating this as a tragic accident, but we owe it to the family and the public to understand exactly what happened and whether any safety measures failed.”
CSX, the railway company operating the train, released a brief statement expressing condolences to the family and pledging full cooperation with the investigation.
Community Reaction: Grief, Shock, and Support
In both Fremont and Fort Wayne, communities have come together in mourning. Local churches and refugee organizations have opened their doors to offer prayer services, counseling, and assistance.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by family friends to cover funeral expenses, medical costs for the injured child, and logistical needs during the ongoing search. As of this morning, donations had already exceeded $25,000, reflecting the depth of community empathy and support.
“We want to honor the lives of Mitokala and Naing with dignity,” said family spokesperson Zaw Lwin. “They survived war and displacement only to face this horrific tragedy. Our community will stand by them.”
A Painful Reminder: Rail Safety and Public Awareness
While officials have not confirmed the exact circumstances that led to the family being on or near the tracks, the incident has renewed attention on the issue of rail safety—particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where pedestrian access is not strictly controlled.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, nearly 500 people are killed annually in the United States in train-pedestrian collisions. Many of these incidents occur in areas not designated for foot traffic, often involving people attempting to cross tracks or unaware of an oncoming train.
Railroad companies and public safety officials frequently stress that trains can take more than a mile to come to a full stop and that the noise of a train can be deceptive—especially when it is moving fast.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not yet announced whether it will open an independent investigation, though its involvement remains possible depending on findings from local agencies.
Moving Forward: A Family Changed Forever
In the wake of the collision, the surviving family members are grappling with overwhelming grief. The loss of Mitokala and Naing is profound, but the uncertainty surrounding the missing 5-year-old girl deepens the pain.
With each passing hour, the likelihood of a safe recovery grows slimmer, yet the search continues with unwavering commitment.
Pastor Daniel Htoo of the Fort Wayne Refugee Fellowship Church, who has known the family since their arrival in the U.S., summed up the collective heartbreak:
“This family came to America for safety, for peace. They were working hard, doing everything right. To see them suffer like this—it breaks our hearts, but we will walk with them through it.”
Conclusion: A Call for Compassion and Change
The story of Mitokala and O. Naing is more than just a tragic headline. It is a reminder of the human cost behind statistics, of families who seek peace after years of turmoil, only to face unfathomable loss in their adopted homeland.
As Fremont and Fort Wayne continue to grieve, and as emergency teams labor along the Sandusky River, one thing is certain: the lives of those touched by this tragedy—family, friends, first responders, and communities alike—will never be the same.
Updates will continue to be provided as search operations progress and investigators uncover more about what led to this heartbreaking incident. Anyone with information or footage related to the event is urged to contact the Fremont Police Department.