Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Four Teens and One Adult

Ontario Provincial Police reported that four teenagers and one man died in a multi-vehicle crash on Friday near London.

Emergency services were called to the scene around 4:30 p. m. at the intersection of Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads, Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said on Saturday.

He explained that an SUV hit a transport truck, which subsequently collided with another SUV.

All five individuals who lost their lives were in the first SUV, according to him.

Two girls aged 17 and one girl aged 16 died at the scene, Sanchuk mentioned. A 16-year-old girl and a 33-year-old man were taken to the hospital but later pronounced dead there.

The truck driver along with two occupants of the second SUV suffered minor injuries, he added.

“We’re not going to be releasing any further information, just to give that opportunity to the grieving and devastated families to just do that: grieve,” Sanchuk said.

Victims Returning from Sports Event: School Board

In a statement released on Saturday, Bluewater District School Board confirmed that the four teenagers were students at Walkerton District Community School, while the adult was a staff member. They were heading back from a sports event located more than 100 kilometers north of where the crash happened.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families directly impacted, as they deal with unimaginable grief and sadness through this sudden and heartbreaking loss,” stated the school board’s message, noting no further details would be shared out of respect for the privacy of those affected.

Five people died after a crash northeast of London on Friday at this location near Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads, police say. Bluewater District School Board says the deceased were four students and a staff member at Walkerton District Community School. (Amanda Margison/CBC)

The school board is providing mental health support for students and staff over the coming weeks.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the accident or has dashcam footage from that time to come forward. Those with information can reach out to authorities or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.

On X post Saturday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his “devastation” regarding this incident.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss,” read his post.

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