BREAKING: Mass Casualty Incident in Sandusky County — Train Strikes Multiple Pedestrians on Hayes Avenue Bridge in Fremont, Ohio
Fremont, Ohio (May 18, 2025, 7:40 PM) — A tragic mass casualty incident has unfolded in Fremont, located in Sandusky County, Ohio, after a train struck multiple pedestrians on the Hayes Avenue Bridge Monday evening. Emergency services including the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont Police, Fire/EMS units, and other regional responders rushed to the scene following reports of a catastrophic collision involving a train and a group of individuals on or near the bridge.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. and has already claimed the lives of two individuals. Emergency personnel confirm that at least two pedestrians were killed, and multiple others were injured after being hit by a moving train as it crossed the Hayes Avenue Bridge — a structure that spans the Sandusky River.
In a chilling escalation of the tragedy, several individuals were reported to have fallen or been thrown into the river below upon impact. Two people remain unaccounted for, including a 5-year-old child, prompting an extensive water search operation. Dive teams and rescue boats have been deployed, and drones with infrared capability are also being used to aid in the search as night falls.
Coordinated Emergency Response
This has been declared a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) due to the scale of injuries and the number of emergency units required on scene. Firefighters, EMS personnel, and law enforcement from neighboring jurisdictions have converged on the area. Temporary command centers and triage zones have been established near the bridge, and some of the injured have already been transported to area hospitals.
A spokesperson from the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that all resources are being mobilized for search, rescue, and recovery. “This is a deeply tragic and dynamic situation. We are working around the clock to bring closure and aid to the families affected,” the sheriff said in a brief statement.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Reaction
Witnesses described a scene of horror and confusion as the train blared its horn and emergency sirens echoed throughout the area. One witness stated, “It looked like a family or group of people were walking or standing on the bridge when the train came through. There was yelling, and then we heard screaming.”
Social media lit up with posts from local residents asking for prayers, updates, and offering support. The community has been left reeling, with local leaders calling for unity and support for the victims’ families. Schools and churches in the area have opened their doors to provide grief counseling and safe spaces for those affected.
Ongoing Investigation
The identity of the victims has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. Authorities are also working with railroad officials to retrieve video footage and data from the locomotive involved. It remains unclear why the pedestrians were on the bridge at the time or whether any barriers or warnings failed to activate.
The Hayes Avenue Bridge, which spans both the river and active railway lines, is not typically designed for pedestrian use, raising further questions about how this tragedy could have occurred and what preventive measures may have failed or need to be implemented in the future.
Community Vigil and Support
In response to the unfolding tragedy, community members are already organizing vigils and support funds for the affected families. Local churches and the Fremont Community Center are expected to hold a prayer service later tonight.
This story is developing. Updates will follow as more information becomes available. Authorities urge anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation. Anyone concerned about a missing loved one is encouraged to contact the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office hotline that has been established for this incident.
Update (9:15 PM): Search and rescue operations are continuing into the night. Additional resources, including state emergency response teams, are being brought in. Conditions on the river have been described as “challenging,” with strong currents and low visibility.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the first responders working tirelessly under harrowing conditions.