Walkerton, Ont., shattered after teen athletes, teacher killed in crash on way home from softball tournament

Globe and Mail

2 days ago

One week after a crash took the lives of four teenage girls and a teacher from Walkerton District Community School as they travelled home from a softball tournament, family and friends in shattered disbelief are preparing to memorialize them in services this weekend.
Danica Baker and Olivia Rourke will be remembered together Saturday on the arena floor of the Walkerton Community Centre. Later that day, a celebration of life for Kaydance Ford will take place at a baseball diamond in nearby Chesley, Ont.
On Sunday, a service will be held for Rowan McLeod at the Chesley Arena. There will also be a ceremony in Owen Sound for 33-year-old teacher Matthew Eckert – also well known for his local lacrosse career – after two days of visitations at a funeral home.
It's an overwhelming wave of memorials after days of mourning.
A candlelight vigil outside the K-12 school drew hundreds earlier this week. Bouquets of flowers remain piled at the front doors of the school, and school busses have small blue ribbons on their front grills. Grief counsellors are on hand across the region. The school's Riverhawks logo – now wrapped in a heart – is displayed at some businesses. Flags are at half-mast. Residents have placed sneakers or baseball cleats on their doorsteps.
The Walkerton Pentecostal Church displayed a message of support.
The five victims were returning from a softball tournament in Dorchester, Ont., last Friday afternoon when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a transport truck and another SUV outside London, some two hours south of Walkerton. Those in the other vehicles suffered minor injuries. The OPP is still investigating.
The loss of these four female athletes – ages 16 and 17 – and the popular teacher is felt widely across the region, largely because they participated in many different activities, inside and outside school.
Athletes and families from three area minor sports clubs that also had some of the girls as members all came together at a community centre this week – Kilsyth Young Guns Broomball, Tara Minor Softball, and Township of Chatsworth & District Minor Hockey Association.
'It was very cathartic,' said Ejaye McComb, a coach from the Tara Twins U18 softball team, which included Ms. McLeod and Ford.
Both girls could play in the infield, the outfield and were solid hitters. Ford and Ms. McLeod were leaders, fun to be around, always joking and lightening the team's mood.
'As a coach or a teammate you couldn't ask for more. They both had a long future ahead of them as players and likely future coaches,' Mr. McComb said. 'I'm positive that they would have succeeded at anything that they tried in life.'
On top of sports, and being a loving big sister, Ford, 16, also excelled in shop at school.
Ms. McLeod, 17, also played hockey, broomball, and was a summer camp leader. She spearheaded the softball team's plans to order jackets, researching all the costs and making the arrangements.
'This doesn't feel real. I feel like they are on vacation right now, but I think this weekend will make it feel real to me, that they're not coming back,' said 16-year-old Addison Teeter, a Twins softball teammate of Ms. McLeod and Ford, who also forged a close friendship with Ms. McLeod as hockey teammates. She'd met all four girls over the years.
'You always hear about this stuff in the news, but you never think it's gonna happen to you. These girls touched so many people, whether you knew them from sports or parties. You realize your life is precious and you only get to live once, so you have to live it to the fullest.'
Ms. Rourke, 17, was living out many passions. After growing up a gymnast at Hanover Aerials Gymnastics Club she transitioned into coaching kids there.
'There was just so much potential in her. She was so responsible,' said Brenda Jolly, the club's executive director. 'It means something to a little kid when the coach smiles at them or tells them they're doing a good job. She was very good at that.'
Ms. Rourke was organizing a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, inspired by her mom, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Her community is making sure the June tournament to raise funds for breast cancer research will proceed as the teenager had envisioned.
Danica Baker's volleyball club team has been celebrating her this week. Bluewater U17G Ballistix Boom has been posting photos and memories of the player they called Dani in her No. 11 jersey.
'Described by those who know her as, 'a true ray of light,' Danica's spirit lit up every room and every volleyball court she stepped on to. Words cannot express how saddened we are for the loss of this wonderful soul,' read their Instagram post.
Meanwhile in Owen Sound, the Jr. B Northstars lacrosse team has dedicated the rest of its season to its assistant coach, saying Mr. Eckert 'cared about our group more than words can describe.'
The team has asked supporters to pack its Saturday game and wear Northstars jerseys in support of Mr. Eckert. He made a name for himself playing hockey and lacrosse in Owen Sound. In 2012, he won a Minto Cup, the Canadian Lacrosse Association's Junior A championship. He became a popular teacher, known for using his extra time to help kids.
'As a dedicated teacher and coach, Mat poured his energy, time, and enormous heart into shaping young lives,' reads his obituary. 'His math lessons were more than just numbers – they were moments of connection. In every sport he took on, he brought the same passion and purpose, using coaching as another way to teach life skills, build confidence, and foster teamwork.'