Latest news with #ChrisPeabody
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Hopefully it brings some comfort' - community steps up in wake of Walkerton tragedy
Sneakers and bats are being put on the front steps of homes in Walkerton to honour those lost in last week's tragic crash that killed four members of a girl's softball team and their coach. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) For the past three nights, Lynn Bernard has a vase of flowers and a pair of sneakers out on her front porch. It's a small token to show the friends and families of the five victims of Friday's fatal car crash that their community cares. 'It's all we can do right now, and hopefully it brings some comfort in the days and the weeks to come, especially to those that are directly affected by this tragedy,' said Bernard. Bernard isn't alone. Hundreds of people across Walkerton, Bruce County and across the country, have been leaving a light on, putting sneakers and maybe a bat out on their steps. These gestures are for the four members of a Walkerton girls softball team and their coach, that were killed last Friday in a car crash near London. They were heading home to Walkerton after capturing second place at school softball tournament. 052725 - Walkerton London Sneakers and bats are being put on the front steps of homes in Walkerton to honour those lost in last week's tragic crash that killed four members of a girl's softball team and their coach. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) The local mayor, Chris Peabody remembers a similar tragedy of students dying in a car crash during his first teaching job, before moving to teach in Walkerton. 'I remember as a young teacher the impact, even two years after was quite significant, the emotional impact. I've seen 40 years ago how profound the loss of young people is on both a school and a community. It can be long lasting,' said Peabody. Walkerton and area have rallied behind the students, and families affected by this tragedy. A fundraising campaign to help the families with the unexpected funeral expenses, and 'unforeseen costs that will cause even more burden on these families,' has already raised over $110,000 in just two days. 052725 - Walkerton London Fundraisers in honour of four Walkerton students, and their coach, killed in a car crash, last Friday near London. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) Walkerton businesswoman, Cassandra Cassidy has launched a separate fundraiser, to fund academic/athletic scholarships, called 'The Riverhawks Memorial Scholarship' in honour of the four students, Olivia Rourke, Kaydance Ford, Danica Baker, Rowan McLeod and their coach, Matt Eckert. 052725 - Walkerton London Fundraisers in honour of four Walkerton students, and their coach, killed in a car crash, last Friday near London. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) 'In a small community, everybody rallies around everybody, and tries to do everything that they can to make the situation better. There's no way you can make the situation better, but what you can do, is spread that kindness to others,' said Cassidy. That's what Tim Lowe was thinking, when he tossed out the idea of putting sneakers on people's front steps last Saturday to support the families of the victims. 052725 - Walkerton London Sneakers and bats are being put on the front steps of homes in Walkerton to honour those lost in last week's tragic crash that killed four members of a girl's softball team and their coach. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) 'It reminded me a lot of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy. So, I thought, what could we do?' said Lowe. 'Hopefully it just brings some comfort, like, to everyone, to every one of us. I think right now, we have to kind of look after each other,' said Bernard, who will keep putting out sneakers each night, until the five victims are ultimately laid to rest.
CTV News
25-05-2025
- CTV News
Mayor says ‘entire town completely devastated' after fatal crash in Middlesex County
Video Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody says the fatal crash that killed four high school students and a coach will leave 'deep scars' in the community.
CTV News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Brockton Mayor: 'Community in shock but remain united after tragic crash'
Watch Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody addresses the tragic crash that killed a teacher and 4 students, and shares support plans for grieving families and friends.
