Tragedy Strikes Fremont: Train Hits Multiple Pedestrians Near Hayes Avenue Bridge, Leaving Two Dead, One Injured, and a 5-Year-Old Child Missing in Sandusky River; Search and Recovery Operations Intensify Near Brady’s Island
A peaceful Sunday evening was shattered in Fremont, Ohio, when a freight train struck a group of pedestrians near the Hayes Avenue Bridge, triggering a mass-casualty incident that has left two people dead, one injured, and two—including a 5-year-old child—unaccounted for in the swiftly moving Sandusky River.
The shocking incident occurred around 7:40 p.m., close to Brady’s Island—a narrow strip of land that divides the Sandusky River near a heavily trafficked railroad and pedestrian corridor. Emergency responders flooded the scene as reports emerged of individuals being struck and possibly thrown or pulled into the river by the force of the impact.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the harrowing moment the train rounded the bend near the bridge.
“I was walking my dog and heard the train’s horn, but it didn’t sound like the usual warning,” said Janelle Moore, a resident who lives two blocks from the tracks. “Then, I heard screaming… people yelling. It was chaotic.”
Another witness, a cyclist who was on the adjacent path, said he saw several individuals walking near the rails moments before the train came through. “It happened so fast,” he said. “The train couldn’t stop. It just tore through.”
Emergency radio communications captured the urgent tone as first responders relayed distressing information: “Multiple down… CPR in progress… possible victim in the river… child, approximately five years of age, unaccounted for.”
Casualties and Victim Details: Two Dead, One Injured, and Two Missing
Sandusky County EMS and Fremont Fire personnel were among the first on scene, quickly declaring the area a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). This designation allowed for a broader mobilization of emergency assets and medical teams.
Two individuals were confirmed dead at the scene and labeled “Black Tag” by triage personnel—indicating that resuscitation efforts were either not attempted due to obvious fatal injuries or had failed. Their identities have not yet been released, pending family notification and forensic confirmation.
Another person, initially found conscious but injured, was classified as “Green Tag,” indicating non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to Fremont Memorial Hospital and are said to be in stable condition.
More alarmingly, two individuals remain missing, believed to have been swept into the adjacent Sandusky River following the incident. Among them is a 5-year-old child whose last known location was near the edge of the pedestrian path by the tracks.
Water rescue operations began immediately and continue into the night, involving boat crews, dive teams, drones, and search dogs trained for aquatic recovery.
Geographic Context: A Dangerous Confluence
The location of the incident—just west of the Hayes Avenue Bridge and near Brady’s Island—is known for its unique geographic configuration. Railroad tracks run perilously close to both the riverbank and a paved pedestrian path, creating a hazardous convergence of transportation and recreation.
City officials noted that the area has long been a point of concern due to its lack of physical barriers separating foot traffic from the rail line.
“There are signs posted warning against trespassing on the tracks,” said Fremont Police Chief Daniel Harper, “but there are no fences or deterrents to physically prevent access in some sections. This is something we’re going to be re-evaluating in the coming days.”
Residents have echoed these concerns in the aftermath of the tragedy, with some calling for improved signage, fencing, and even pedestrian overpasses.
Emergency Response: Coordinated Chaos
First responders from multiple jurisdictions—including the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Fremont Fire & Rescue, and surrounding township units—arrived at the scene within minutes of the first 911 calls.
Rescue personnel triaged victims, searched the riverbanks, and coordinated with regional trauma centers for patient transport. A temporary command post was established at a nearby public works facility, with a staging area for families and media set up in the parking lot of a local elementary school.
The water rescue operation, which now involves sonar-equipped vessels and night-vision drones, is being led by the Sandusky County Dive Team in conjunction with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and ODNR.
Officials say recovery operations may continue through the night and into Monday morning if the missing individuals are not located by daybreak.
Ongoing Investigation: What Went Wrong?
While emergency operations take precedence, an official investigation is now underway to determine how and why the pedestrians came to be in such close proximity to the tracks during an active train crossing.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a field investigator, and representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) are expected on-site by Monday morning.
Preliminary findings suggest that the victims may have been using the railway corridor as a pedestrian shortcut—a common yet dangerous practice in areas where rail infrastructure is poorly separated from public pathways.
However, authorities are not yet ruling out other possibilities, including:
- Potential mechanical malfunction of warning systems or train signals.
- Whether the group was attempting to cross at an unmarked or unauthorized location.
- The possibility of distraction or intoxication.
- Whether any individual may have become stuck or immobilized near the tracks before the others attempted to intervene.
Investigators will review train camera footage, black box data, and track surveillance from nearby businesses. They are also seeking public assistance from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or seen the group prior to impact.
Community Reaction: Mourning, Support, and Calls for Action
News of the tragedy has deeply impacted the Fremont community—a city of just over 16,000 residents where many people know each other by name.
Local churches and civic organizations are preparing to host vigils and provide grief counseling for both witnesses and affected families. The Fremont Unified School District has activated its crisis response team, especially in light of the child who remains missing.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy,” said Mayor Angela Whitman at a press briefing Sunday night. “Our hearts go out to the families involved, to the first responders who acted with courage and urgency, and to every resident who now carries this grief with them. Fremont is hurting—but we are united.”
The Fremont Community Health Center has opened its facilities for walk-in mental health support and is urging anyone in emotional distress to seek help immediately.
Safety and Infrastructure Under Scrutiny
In the wake of the incident, renewed attention is being paid to rail safety and pedestrian access along the Sandusky River corridor. Several residents have already begun circulating a petition demanding the installation of physical barriers or rerouting of foot traffic away from active rail lines.
“This wasn’t just an accident,” said local advocate Rebecca Larkin. “It was the result of years of neglect—of putting convenience over safety. We need infrastructure that respects both the needs and the lives of people.”
Railroad operator Norfolk Southern, which operates the freight line involved, issued a brief statement expressing condolences and pledging full cooperation with the investigation.
“We are heartbroken by the events that occurred in Fremont this evening. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We are working closely with local officials and investigators to understand what happened and ensure all necessary support is provided.”
What Comes Next: Investigation, Healing, and Hope
As the community waits for answers and prays for the missing, one thing is clear: Fremont will never forget the night of May 18, 2025.
While no amount of infrastructure change or investigation can bring back the lives lost, community leaders and citizens alike are calling for accountability, transparency, and change.
The NTSB is expected to issue a preliminary report within 10 days, with a full investigation potentially taking several months. In the meantime, Fremont Police and city officials will continue to coordinate updates through official press releases.
For now, the focus remains on the recovery efforts and providing support to those most directly affected.
How to Help
Residents wishing to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts can contribute to the Fremont Family Crisis Fund, coordinated through the Sandusky County United Way. Donations of bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and blankets for recovery crews can be dropped off at the Fremont Fire Station on South Street.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 7:30 PM, at Veterans Park, weather permitting.
If you witnessed the incident or have information that may assist investigators, please contact the Fremont Police Department Tip Line at (419) 555-0147.