Authorities are still looking into what caused a tragic accident in Mapleton on Friday that resulted in the deaths of five children from Elmira.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) report that an infant, the children’s parents, and two older adults were also injured when a van carrying 10 people collided with an SUV. The deceased children, four girls and one boy, were part of a family from Elmira and were aged 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 years old.
A Go Fund Me has been launched to help a couple involved in the van who are not related to the five children who lost their lives in the incident.
The fundraiser indicates that Elizabeth Bartsch is currently in critical condition while her husband, Peter, stays by her side.
“As they face the long road ahead, neither will be able to work for some time, and expenses such as household bills, travel costs, and other unexpected financial burdens will continue to grow,” reads the fundraising page. “We are asking our community to come together and support Peter and Elizabeth during this incredibly difficult season.”
So far, this campaign has raised over $26,000 for the Bartsch family.
Another Go Fund Me has been set up specifically for the Doerksen family-the family of the five deceased children-and it has successfully collected over $300,000.
“I’m not usually at a loss for words. I’ve been a police officer for 28 years. I’ve seen a lot of horrific crashes. This particular crash really hits home, not only as a police officer but as a father,” said West Region OPP Sergeant Ed Sanchuk.
The OPP is promoting their “Stop, Look, and Live” campaign this week to address distracted driving and failure to stop or yield on rural roads.
“What people don’t get to see behind the scenes is knocking on someone’s door,” Sanchuk explained. “That family, when you knock on their door, is never ever the same again. Their life changes forever. It never goes back to what it was. Unfortunately, we’ve done that time and time again.”
Sanchuk noted that since May 2025 his detachment has responded to three fatal accidents on rural roads resulting in five deaths each time.
Between 2021 and 2025 almost 5,000 motor vehicle collisions were reported; about a quarter of those involved incidents at intersections according to data from the OPP.
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The OPP is promoting their “Stop, Look, and Live” campaign this week to address distracted driving and failure to stop or yield on rural roads.
“What people don’t get to see behind the scenes is knocking on someone’s door,” Sanchuk explained. “That family, when you knock on their door, is never ever the same again. Their life changes forever. It never goes back to what it was. Unfortunately, we’ve done that time and time again.”
Sanchuk noted that since May 2025 his detachment has responded to three fatal accidents on rural roads resulting in five deaths each time.
Between 2021 and 2025 almost 5,000 motor vehicle collisions were reported; about a quarter of those involved incidents at intersections according to data from the OPP.
Keep it Factual
Add City News Kitchener as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.
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