FREMONT – A man died when he was hit by a train in downtown Fremont Monday night, the second train-pedestrian collision this year.
The Fremont Police Department has identified the man as Mark Traver, 55, who had been walking on the tracks late on June 30. The department was notified by the Norfolk Southern Police Department at 11:06 p.m. that he was found beneath the southbound train that struck him. Lifesaving efforts were attempted, but were not successful.
He was walking on the tracks on the west side of the Sandusky River and hit at a location about 250 feet north of State Street.
Police reports on the incident have not yet been released, but Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger gave an interview.
“Unfortunately, it was a fatality. We had someone walking on the tracks, struck by a train,” Wensinger said. “It was a southbound train.”
The incident did not take place on the bridge where a family was struck by a train in May and three died.
The Sandusky County Coroner Investigative team includes Sandusky County Coroner Mark Smith, who responded to the scene. Wensinger said that railroad representatives are working with the Fremont Police Department. An autopsy is scheduled.
“I want to make sure, before we identify anybody, I want to give notification to next of kin, for his family members,” Wensinger said. “No foul play is suspected.”
The railroad notified the police. For about 6 hours after the train-strike, the State Street bridge and Hayes Avenue bridge were blocked off, as well as N. Front Street.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Traver’s family as well as the Norfolk Southern conductors and staff that are dealing firsthand with the loss of a loved one and tragic event,” Wensinger wrote in a press release.
Responders to the incident included Fremont Fire, Sandusky County EMS, and the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office.
rlapointe@gannett.com
419-332-2674
This story was updated at 10:32 a.m. on July 1, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Death on train tracks in Fremont; man hit by train
Reporting by Roger LaPointe, Fremont News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
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