O Ny Zar,Ram Masan Obituary, Death;- Three members of an Indiana family died following a train collision in Fremont on Sunday. Just before 7:30 p.m., first responders were called to the area of the Hayes Avenue railroad crossing on the Miles Newton Bridge for the report of a train-versus-pedestrians crash.
Two women and a child are confirmed to have died, according to Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez. The two women were a 50-year-old and a 34-year-old, who were mother and daughter. A 1-year-old child was pulled from the Sandusky River by a person who witnessed the crash.
CPR was started on scene, and the child was transported to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. First responders from multiple agencies, including a fire department boat and multiple dive teams, searched the Sandusky River from Sunday night until just after noon on Monday for a 5-year-old.
Searchers pulled the child’s body from the river just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday, according to Sanchez. The remains were found in close proximity to the Miles Newton Bridge.
A news release from the City of Fremont identified the victims who died as:
• O Ny Zar, 34, of Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Ram Masan, 50, of Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Intisar Mi, 5, of Fort Wayne, Indiana
The release also identified the child who was hospitalized, noting that they remain in critical condition:
Prior to the discovery of Mi’s remains, Sanchez referred to the search as a “recovery effort” at an 11 a.m. press conference on Monday. In addition to Kar, at least one other person was transported to the hospital. The children were related to the women, according to Sanchez.
The Fort Wayne family was in Fremont for a fishing trip, but it was unclear if anyone was fishing when the collision occurred, he said. “Although they were not from Fremont, we welcome people from all over,” Sanchez said. Sanchez said authorities believe the train took every safety measure it could have.
“In my opinion, it is not common for pedestrians to be there,” he said, referring to the railroad bridge. “There are clearly marked ‘No Trespassing’ signs there.” Sanchez implored people to call 911 if they see people trespassing on railroad tracks.
The mayor said authorities were not actively prohibiting anyone from fishing on the Sandusky River on Monday. “Our hearts go out to the family involved and all those who have been affected,” Sanchez added. When asked, Fremont fire Chief Paul Halbeisen said he could not recall the last time his department was involved in a Sandusky River rescue operation.
Sanchez said the National Transportation Safety Board is involved in the investigation. The train blocked the crossing for about four hours. It was finally cleared from the crossing just after 11 p.m. It was a northbound Norfolk Southern train.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts are with those affected, their loved ones and the community during this difficult time,” Norfolk Southern said in a statement. “We are working closely with local authorities on their investigation.”
