FREMONT, Ohio — A train collision involving multiple pedestrians left two people dead and at least one other missing Sunday evening in northern Ohio, U.S.A., authorities confirmed, triggering a multi-agency emergency response and river search operation.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. in the city of Fremont, located near Lake Erie, approximately midway between Toledo and Cleveland, according to a report from WTOL-TV.
Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez confirmed the two fatalities Sunday night. In a developing and urgent effort to locate the missing individual, emergency responders began combing the Sandusky River, focusing their search near the Miles Newton Bridge, where the collision is believed to have occurred.
The Fremont Police Department posted an alert on X (formerly Twitter) stating the bridge was immediately closed, urging residents and travelers to avoid the area as the investigation and search continued. Multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies were on scene late into the evening.
Local officials have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased or the circumstances that led to the pedestrians being on or near the train tracks. It remains unclear how many total individuals were involved or what events preceded the collision.
Authorities are focusing efforts along the Sandusky River, a waterway that runs through Fremont and under the Miles Newton Bridge. It is believed the missing individual may have ended up in the river during or after the collision.
Footage from local news outlets showed first responders and dive teams scanning the riverbanks and deploying boats, as bystanders were pushed back from the closed-off area. The Miles Newton Bridge, a key local crossing, remained shut down to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic overnight as a safety precaution and to facilitate the search.
As of Monday morning, officials had not confirmed how many pedestrians were present at the time of the incident or why they were near the tracks. The train involved and its operator have not been publicly identified.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Ohio Department of Transportation have not issued public statements but may become involved as the investigation expands.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety along railway corridors in Ohio and across the United States. Train collisions involving individuals near active tracks have prompted renewed calls for improved fencing, signage, and public awareness campaigns, particularly in regions where tracks intersect with residential or recreational areas.
