Walkerton teacher, 4 students die in London-area crash: 'Unimaginable grief'
Tragedy has struck the community of Walkerton as four teenage students and a teacher have died in a crash near London
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A candlelight vigil will be held Sunday in Walkerton for four teenage students and a teacher who died in a crash near London while coming home from a sporting event.
Municipal flags have been lowered to half-mast and residents are being asked to leave a pair of running shoes with a light on at the front of their homes in honour of the victims. A candlelight vigil is being organized for Sunday evening.
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The Bluewater District school board said Saturday four secondary students and one staff member from Walkerton District community school died in the crash Friday afternoon while returning from a sporting event near London.
“At this incredibly difficult time, we are supporting and respecting the privacy of the grieving families,” the board said in an e-mail statement. “We are unable to provide further details on the incident or identities of the individuals involved.”
Middlesex OPP said two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl died at the scene. A 33-year-old man was taken to hospital and later died, while a 16-year-old girl flown to hospital by helicopter also died.
All of the deceased were occupants of the same SUV that first collided with a transport truck, causing the truck to crash into a second SUV at a rural intersection 20 kilometres northeast of London.
Police did not identify the victims.
Chris Peabody, mayor of the Municipality of Brockton in which Walkerton is located, said Saturday it was an unbelievable and tragic day for the community. He noted another person died in the municipality near Chepstow earlier in the day in a workplace incident.
“To have six deaths in one day for a town of 10,000 is an unbelievable amount of impact and pain on the community, the families, the school and the businesses,” Peabody said.
Municipal flags were lowered to half-mast and Walkerton District community school is being offered any support it required, including use of facilities or municipal services, he said.
Everyone in the small community about 140 kilometres north of London will know someone involved in the tragedy, Peabody said.
Memorials are planned in honour of the victims. Residents are being asked in social media posts to leave a pair of running shoes and a light on at the front of their homes. A community-organized candlelight vigil will be held at the school on Sunday at 8:30 p.m., according to another post.
“It is going to leave some deep, deep scars on the community,” Peabody said.
Brockton also this month is marking the 25th anniversary of the contamination of Walkerton’s drinking water with E coli. Seven people died and more than 2,000 were sickened including some left with chronic illnesses.
The Bluewater board said in a statement it is a devastating loss for the school, the local community and the school board.
“We recognize that many staff, students and community members in other areas across our board also have close connections with those lost in this tragedy, and their families,” the board statement read.
The board said its mental health staff and tragedy response team will support students and staff of Walkerton District community school as they navigate through a very painful time in the days and weeks ahead.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families directly impacted, as they deal with unimaginable grief and sadness through this sudden and heartbreaking loss,” the statement said.
Premier Doug Ford said in a social media post he was “devastated” to hear of the crash.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss.”
The Owen Sound Jr. B North Stars issued a statement on Saturday morning in which it announced the death of assistant coach Matt Eckert. Walkerton District community school lists Eckert as a teacher at the school.
The lacrosse organization is heartbroken and crushed to lose an important member of its family, North Stars general manager Ethan Woods said in a statement.
“Matt connected with our players on a level that is indescribable,” Woods said. “He is some of our coaches’ best friend.”
Woods went on to say that Eckert’s infectious smile and caring heart will never be forgotten.
“We love you so much Ecky,” Woods said. “Thoughts and prayers to his family, teammates, our players and anyone Ecky connected with. Rest in peace.”
The North Stars earlier in the day announced its games on Saturday evening and on Sunday had been postponed.
Arran-Elderslie Minor Hockey posted to social media on Saturday offering deepest sympathies to the families who lost loved ones.
“Many IceDogs attend Walkerton District community school and will be feeling the tremendous loss,” the minor hockey organization’s post read.
“As a tribute to those lost, families are being asked to leave a pair of running shoes on the front porch with a light on.”
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