A man and a woman were killed Tuesday afternoon after being struck by a Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway train while walking along a trestle bridge over Ohio Route 212.
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened around 4:30 p.m. between the village of Zoar and Tuscarawas Valley High School. The victims were walking northbound on the narrow, elevated bridge when they were struck.
The woman, identified as 20 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene along with the man, whose identity has not yet been confirmed. Tuscarawas County Coroner Dr. Jeff Cameron responded to the scene.
Officials say the train attempted to stop but was unable to avoid the collision. Authorities emphasized the danger of walking on active railroad bridges.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the incident in coordination with the coroner, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the railroad company, which is cooperating with the investigation.
