4 teenagers, 1 man dead after multi-vehicle crash near London, police say
A tragic multi-vehicle crash near London, Ontario has left four teenagers and a man dead, according to Ontario Provincial Police. The incident occurred on Friday at the intersection of Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads, prompting emergency response teams to rush to the scene.
Sgt. Ed Sanchuk provided details of the crash, stating that an SUV had collided with a transport truck, which then crashed into a second SUV. All five individuals who lost their lives were occupants of the first SUV. Among the victims were two 17-year-old girls, a 16-year-old girl, a 16-year-old girl, and a 33-year-old man who were pronounced dead at the scene or at the hospital.
The truck driver and the occupants of the second SUV sustained minor injuries in the collision. Sgt. Sanchuk emphasized the importance of respecting the privacy of the grieving families by refraining from releasing further information at this time.
The victims were identified as students from Walkerton District Community School and a staff member, who were returning to the school following a sports event near London. The Bluewater District School Board expressed its deepest condolences to the families affected by this heartbreaking loss and announced that mental health support would be provided to students and staff in the coming weeks.
Authorities are urging any witnesses with dashcam footage of the crash to come forward with information. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers or directly to the police. Ontario Premier Doug Ford also shared his sorrow over the tragic incident in a social media post, expressing his sympathy for the grieving families.
The devastating crash serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance while driving. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.
