FREMONT, Ohio (WTVG) – The fishing community in Fremont is still trying to come to terms with the tragedy that unfolded Sunday night. Some of them even witnessed the child’s body being recovered from the water Monday morning.
Sunday night, three people were killed and a baby was hospitalized after an incident involving a train.
Several people who spoke with 13 Action News said they’ve been coming to Fremont for years to fish, but they never expected or experienced anything like this.
The serene scene on the Sandusky River on Monday does not capture the wave of sorrow these fishermen are truly feeling.
“I’ll never forget that. That’s something you can’t forget,” said Rick Poindexter.
Poindexter is from Columbus and is visiting Fremont for a short fishing trip, which turned into more than he bargained for.
“I didn’t think I would see that as far as them pulling the body out of the water. We saw a sheet go up and then the body wrapped in a sheet. You know it was the body. My heart sank because you know it was the child,” said Poindexter.
Pointdexter said he was shocked after learning what happened Sunday night.
“It’s devastating because it’s a child. I don’t care if it was my child or your child or whoever’s child, that was a child that lost its life and you don’t know why, you don’t understand why,” said Poindexter.
Bernie Whitt owns the bait shop Angler’s Supplies in town. He says he believes he met the victims on Sunday.
“I think they were here, they fit the description of the ages. I think they bought fishing licenses here yesterday. The one lady had an infant, a one-year-old looking child with her, and it looks like she had her mother with her and bought a fishing license. But I’m not really sure until I see the pictures, but I’m sure they came through yesterday,” said Whitt.
Marty Sowell is another fisherman who has been coming to Fremont from Cleveland for years. Though he does not know the victims, he feels the grief as if he did.
“I was heartbroken. I really was because when I started hearing the ages of the five-year-old, 14-month-old, I think anyone who is human has got to feel that. That’s got to hit home somewhere. I’ve got great grandkids of my own,” said Sowell.
There is now a memorial being set up at the base of the bridge. Strangers are coming together to honor this family that has suffered an unthinkable loss.
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