Condolences pour in after 4 students, 1 teacher killed in Ontario crash
An small Ontario community is mourning the loss of four teen girls and their coach after they all lost their lives in a fatal crash Friday night.
Messages of condolence are pouring in for the community in and around Walkerton, Ont an hour north west of Guelph.
The coach, Matt Eckert, 33 and four female students were returning from a softball tournament when their vehicle collided with a transport truck.
Ontario Provincial Police say the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Thorndale Road and Cobble Hills Road in Middlesex County, near London, Ont.
Investigators say an SUV caring the five collided with a transport truck, then hit a second SUV.
Three of the first SUV's passengers, two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene.
Story continues below advertisement
Eckert, who was driving the SUV, and another 16-year-old girl who was also in the vehicle were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
View image in full screen
Flowers mark the site of a fatal accident which killed four students and a teacher northeast of London, Ont. on Sunday, May 25, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins. Geoff Robins
Following this incident, people have been sharing messages of condolences, with community members putting running shoes and candles outside their homes in honour of the victims.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
The school board and police have not released the names of the four girls killed.
In a statement over the weekend, the Bluewater District School board confirmed the four girls were all students at Walkerton District Community School, where Eckert also taught.
The board expressed their 'deepest sorrows' for the families dealing with the 'profound loss' of Friday's crash.
'At this time, our focus is on supporting and respecting the privacy of the grieving families,' the statement read.
Story continues below advertisement
'We recognize that many individuals in other communities across Bluewater also have close connections with those lost in this tragedy, and their families. It is important to acknowledge how this tragedy is impacting them as well. We are all here to support one another.'
The board's mental health staff and tragedy response team have been deployed to support students and staff as they return to school on Monday.
Eckert, who died in the crash, was also an assistant coach with the Owen Sound NorthStars Junior B Lacrosse club. The club's general manager, Ethan Woods, said on social media that he was 'heartbroken and crushed' by Eckert's death, remembering him as a dedicated mentor to players and a best friend to fellow coaches.
'His infectious smile and caring heart are things that will never be forgotten,' Woods said.
A vigil was held Sunday night, with hundreds of people gathering in the Walkerton District Community School parking to honour the victims.
Pictures of the vigil show candles and flowers laid at the front of the school in tribute.
View image in full screen
Hundreds gather in the parking lot of the Walkerton District Community School in Walkerton, Ont. for a vigil on Sunday, May 25, 2025. On Friday, four students and a teacher from the school were killed in a car accident on the way back from a softball tournament in Dorchester, Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins Geoff Robins
Several politicians have also shared their condolences.
Story continues below advertisement
'In this time of sorrow, we stand united with all those affected in the community and throughout all our local schools. We offer our deepest condolences and unwavering support,' said the municipality of Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody.
'We encourage all community members to come together offering compassion and support to one another as we navigate this profound loss.'
In honour of the families affected, the municipal flags were lowered to half-mast and will be raised following services for victims, the mayor said.
Canada's Prime Minster Mark Carney wrote on X Sunday night that the deaths were heartbreaking.
'This is an unimaginable loss – one that no family, no classmate, no school should ever have to endure. Canadians are holding the Walkerton community in our hearts,' he wrote.
Ontario's Premier, Doug Ford, also extended his condolences to the families of the victims as well.
'I'm devastated to hear of last night's tragic accident in Middlesex County, which has now claimed the lives of five people. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss,' Ford said on X.
The occupants of the second SUV and the transport truck driver suffered minor injuries.
Police have offered condolences but have not speculated on what chased the crash.
Story continues below advertisement
Authorities are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with dashcam footage or information about the crash to contact Middlesex OPP or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.
With files from Global News' Prisha Dev and The Canadian Press
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
10 hours ago
- CTV News
Suspect stopped for speeding on Hwy. 17 charged with impaired
Marathon Ontario Provincial Police spotted the impaired driving suspect around 9:20 p.m. June 6 in Pic Township. A 60-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie stopped for speeding near Marathon on Highway 17 on Friday has been charged with impaired driving. Marathon Ontario Provincial Police spotted the suspect around 9:20 p.m. June 6 in Pic Township. 'While on patrol, an officer observed a motor vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed, and a traffic stop was initiated,' police said in a news release Saturday. Signs of impairment 'While speaking with the driver, the officer detected signs of impairment. The driver was arrested and transported for further testing.' Charges include driving while impaired by alcohol. His licence was suspended automatically for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for a week. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Marathon on July 16. 'If you have an urgent traffic complaint or if you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol, please call 911 immediately,' police said. Non-emergency cases can be reported by calling 1-888-310-1122 or online. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Toronto Sun
10 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Two pedestrians hit, one killed, as cars collide in Mississauga
And in a separate crash on Hwy. 401 in Milton, a young mother was killed and her six-year-old daughter was injured A 40-year-old woman was killed and her six-year-old daughter injured in a collision on Hwy. 401 near James Snow Pkwy., in Milton, on Saturday, June 07, 2025. Photo by Ontario Provincial Police / Posted on X by @OPP_HSD One pedestrian was killed and another left fighting for her life when they were hit by a car that mounted the curb after crashing into another vehicle in Mississauga. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The tragedy was one of two separate deadly crashes that occurred minutes apart west of the city Saturday morning. Peel Regional Police say the two pedestrians were struck at the intersection of Burnhamthorpe Rd. W. and Kariya Dr. – just west of Hurontario St., near Square One Mall – shortly before 10:30 a.m. Few details were immediately available but police confirmed one pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. And a second pedestrian, a woman in her 20s, was rushed to hospital in 'critical' condition. Const. Michelle Stafford told reporters at the scene that the two pedestrians 'were standing together' when they were hit, but she was not yet able to say if the man and woman knew each other. COLLISION: -Burnhamthorpe Rd W & Kariya Dr in #Mississauga -Vehicle & 2 Pedestrians involved -Fml taken to hospital in critical condition -Vehicle remained on scene -Intersections closed please use alternate routes -C/R 10:23 am -PR250177320 — Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) June 7, 2025 Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Our Major Collision Bureau will be investigating the circumstances of the collision,' she said, urging anyone with dashcam footage or information that could help investigators to come forward to police. The six occupants in the two vehicles that collided suffered minor injuries. In the aftermath of the fatal crash, one vehicle remained in the intersection with its front end badly damaged and its bumper on the ground nearby. A second vehicle, a Tesla, ended up on the sidewalk with its passenger side smashed in, suggesting it was T-boned by the first vehicle. The intersection was shut down while police investigated. About 20 minutes before the Mississauga crash, Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a collision on Hwy. 401 in Milton that killed a mother and injured her young daughter. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fatal collision: EB #Hwy401/James Snow. 2 vehicle crash, 40-year-old from Cambridge driving EB struck the guide rail and was then struck by an EB pickup truck. She was pronounced deceased, her 6-year-old daughter taken to hospital with minor injuries. No injuries to the 4… — OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) June 7, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The OPP say a 40-year-old Cambridge woman was driving in the eastbound lanes near James Snow Pkwy. when her vehicle 'struck the guide rail.' A pickup truck that was also travelling eastbound then smashed into the woman's vehicle, the OPP explained in a statement posted on X. The woman died at the scene, the OPP said. And her six-year-old, who was also in the vehicle, was taken to hospital with 'minor injuries.' Read More The OPP said the four occupants of the pickup were uninjured. The eastbound express lanes of the 401 were shut down in the area while the OPP investigated the crash. cdoucette@ @sundoucette Olympics Columnists World Editorial Cartoons NHL
Global News
11 hours ago
- Global News
U.K. judge warns of risk to justice after lawyers cited fake AI-generated cases in court
Lawyers have cited fake cases generated by artificial intelligence in court proceedings in England, a judge has said — warning that attorneys could be prosecuted if they don't check the accuracy of their research. High Court justice Victoria Sharp said the misuse of AI has 'serious implications for the administration of justice and public confidence in the justice system.' In the latest example of how judicial systems around the world are grappling with how to handle the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in court, Sharp and fellow judge Jeremy Johnson chastised lawyers in two recent cases in a ruling on Friday. They were asked to rule after lower court judges raised concerns about 'suspected use by lawyers of generative artificial intelligence tools to produce written legal arguments or witness statements which are not then checked,' leading to false information being put before the court. Story continues below advertisement In a ruling written by Sharp, the judges said that in a USD$120-million lawsuit over an alleged breach of a financing agreement involving the Qatar National Bank, a lawyer cited 18 cases that did not exist. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The client in the case, Hamad Al-Haroun, apologized for unintentionally misleading the court with false information produced by publicly available AI tools, and said he was responsible, rather than his solicitor Abid Hussain. But Sharp said it was 'extraordinary that the lawyer was relying on the client for the accuracy of their legal research, rather than the other way around.' In the other incident, a lawyer cited five fake cases in a tenant's housing claim against the London Borough of Haringey. Barrister Sarah Forey denied using AI, but Sharp said she had 'not provided to the court a coherent explanation for what happened.' The judges referred the lawyers in both cases to their professional regulators, but did not take more serious action. Sharp said providing false material as if it were genuine could be considered contempt of court or, in the 'most egregious cases,' perverting the course of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. She said in the judgment that AI is a 'powerful technology' and a 'useful tool' for the law. Story continues below advertisement 'Artificial intelligence is a tool that carries with it risks as well as opportunities,' the judge said. 'Its use must take place therefore with an appropriate degree of oversight, and within a regulatory framework that ensures compliance with well-established professional and ethical standards if public confidence in the administration of justice is to be maintained.'
