Calling it a "tragic loss for our school community," officials with the Walkerton District Community School have confirmed that a staff member and four students were the victims of a fatal collision near London.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, the five victims were in an SUV that collided with a transport truck and another SUV in the intersection of Thorndale Road and Cobble Hills Road, northeast of London, around 4:40 p.m. on Friday, May 23.
Police say a 33-year-old man was transported to hospital with serious life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased, two 17-year-old females and a 16-year-old female were pronounced deceased on scene. The fifth passenger, a 16-year-old female, was airlifted to hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
The two occupants of the second SUV and the driver of the transport truck sustained minor injuries.
In an email to families of WDCS students, Principal Roselyn Clancy and Vice-Principals Kim Darroch-Hopkins and Brayden Scott shared the news with "heartbreaking sadness."
"We have received confirmation that four secondary students and one staff member passed away tragically yesterday (Friday) afternoon in a motor vehicle collision while returning from a sporting event near London," the email said. "The impact of this devastating loss of life resonates throughout our entire school and the broader community. These students and the staff member will be deeply missed by many."
"In the days and weeks ahead, we will be doing everything we can to support our students, staff, and school community as we collectively attempt to come to terms with this news. Members of our board's Tragedy Response Team will be at the school on Monday, and throughout the week, to provide grief counselling and one-on-one support to any students and staff who are struggling. Safe spaces will be available within the school. We recognize that grief is unique for every individual and will be closely monitoring students and staff closest to this loss, or who have recently experienced loss. Remember, we are stronger together and here for each other," the email continued.
School officials also said they will be making grief counsellors available for students and staff.
"This is an unprecedented situation, which will require all of us to come together to support, lean on, and take care of one another," the email to families said. "We share our heartfelt and deepest condolences with the families of the students and staff member and cannot begin to imagine their grief and sadness as they deal with this sudden and tragic loss. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by this tremendous loss."
Investigators are asking members of the public that may have been in the area at the time of the incident to check their dash camera footage in the event they captured the event, or the vehicles involved.
Police have not released the names of any of the victims. However, a post to the Facebook page of the Owen Sound North Stars Junior B lacrosse team announced the passing of assistant coach Matt Eckert, a teacher at WDCS.
"Our organization is heartbroken and crushed to lose an important member of our family. Matt connected with out players on a level that is indescribable," the post read. "His infectious smile and caring heart are things that will never be forgotten."
Anyone with information should contact the Middlesex County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
**with files from Eric Thompson