The Frederick, Maryland, community is mourning the tragic loss of 21-year-old Cian Cassidy, who died after being struck by a MARC commuter train on Tuesday evening. The accident occurred around 6:15 p.m. in the Sandy Hook area of southern Washington County, along the Brunswick Line between Washington, D.C., and Martinsburg, West Virginia. Cian was walking near the tracks with 20-year-old Summer Giffin of Knoxville, Maryland, when both were fatally hit by MARC Train 875. The train was carrying approximately 100 passengers at the time; no injuries were reported among them.
Cian Cassidy was remembered by family and friends as a kind and loving young man with a bright smile and a zest for life. “Cian was tragically taken from us far too soon,” said a family member. “He had his whole life ahead of him and was deeply loved by everyone who knew him.” He is survived by his mother, father, stepfather, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In response to this devastating loss, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to assist the Cassidy family with funeral and memorial expenses. The fundraiser has become a rallying point for the community, offering not only financial support but also messages of love and condolences for the grieving family. The family has expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of kindness and generosity from those touched by Cian’s life.
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is investigating the incident. Authorities have not released information on the speed of the train at the time or any contributing factors. “We are saddened by this tragic incident and remind the public that it is never safe to walk on or alongside railroad tracks,” said a statement from MTA officials. “We express our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.”
Train service resumed later that evening, with one track reopening under speed restrictions at 9 p.m. and full service restored by 10 p.m. The Brunswick Line operated on its regular schedule the following morning.
As Frederick mourns this tragic loss, the community comes together in solidarity, lifting up the Cassidy family and remembering a young man who had so much ahead of him. Cian’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him and in the many lives he inspired with his warmth, compassion, and unwavering love for family.
