Latest news with #DanicaBaker
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Joint funeral held for two teens killed in crash that left five dead
Two teens killed in a crash near London, Ont. just over a week ago were remembered Saturday for their contagious smiles that "could light up absolutely everything." Hundreds attended the joint funeral service for Olivia Rourke, 17, and Danica Baker, 16, at the Walkerton Community Centre, along with nearly 1,000 who tuned in to a livestream. Advertisement The pair were killed along with two other girls, Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford, and their 33-year-old coach Matt Eckert, who was a teacher at Walkerton District Community School. All five died when their sport utility vehicle collided with another SUV and a transport truck on May 23 while they were returning from a softball tournament in the area. A few family members and friends of both Rourke and Baker shared memories of the two girls during Saturday's service as dozens more classmates paid tribute wearing their athletic uniforms. The girls were described as joyful teammates who would sing "at the top of their lungs" and dance "without a care." As one friend put it, even after a moment of silence for the duo: "Silence wasn't really their thing." Advertisement Rourke was "the spunkiest, sassiest and coolest little girl," said her cousin Rae in a eulogy, adding she was "truly a bright light in our family." Others praised her resolve. Friends said Rourke shone in gymnastics and loved other sports too, even those she wasn't the best at. She tried out for every team and had convinced herself that her sheer determination was going to win her athlete of the year. Rourke also had a presence for the stage and loved to act out a scene. Her "witty jokes, positive energy and sassy remarks could bring a smile to anyone's face," said Rae. Advertisement "What hurts the most is that we had so many plans that are now left unfinished," her cousin said. "We were going to tour universities in the fall, travel the world, and raise two little girls together that would be just like us. As we looked forward to these big moments in life, I never thought that Olivia wouldn't be experiencing them with me." Baker's cousin Aislyn said she left a mark on everyone she met through her "infectious smile, her goofy laugh and her positive and thoughtful presence." Remembered as a gifted piano player and quiet leader, she was a perfectionist and "vibrant young soul" who enjoyed expressing herself through her hair, makeup, nails and fashion. Advertisement Baker was adventurous and independent — she enjoyed going to camp from a young age and wasn't afraid to go alone. She loved all sports, but found her passion on the volleyball court. "Not only did Danica have a gorgeous face, but a gorgeous soul too," Aislyn said. "Danica was just starting to blossom into this amazing independent and most caring person." The Walkerton community, home to around 4,500 residents, continues to mourn the tragedy. Last weekend more than a thousand people gathered outside the girls' school to show support during a vigil. Dozens of support workers had a presence at the school this week as students and staff grieve. Bluewater District School Board director of education Lori Wilder said a memorial table had also been set up inside the school for the five victims. Advertisement Chris Peabody, the mayor of Brockton, the municipality encompassing Walkerton, said the "incomprehensible tragedy" has left the town devastated. Prime Minister Mark Carney also shared his condolences on social media a few days after the incident, saying the five deaths are 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," Carney wrote on X. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Joint funeral held for two teens killed in Walkerton car crash
Two out of the five deceased, teens Olivia Rourke and Danica Baker, were given joint funerals. Funerals for the other victims are still ongoing.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Joint funeral held for 2 teens killed in crash near London, Ont., that left 5 dead
Social Sharing Two teens killed in a crash near London, Ont., just over a week ago were remembered on Saturday for their contagious smiles that "could light up absolutely everything." Hundreds attended the joint funeral service for Olivia Rourke, 17, and Danica Baker, 16, at the Walkerton Community Centre, along with nearly 1,000 who tuned in to a livestream. The pair were killed along with two other girls, Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford, and their 33-year-old coach, Matt Eckert, who was a teacher at Walkerton District Community School. All five died when their SUV collided with another SUV and a transport truck on May 23 while they were returning from a softball tournament in the area. A few family members and friends of both Rourke and Baker shared memories of the two teens during Saturday's service as dozens more classmates paid tribute wearing their athletic uniforms. The girls were described as joyful teammates who would sing "at the top of their lungs" and dance "without a care." As one friend put it, even after a moment of silence for the duo: "Silence wasn't really their thing." WATCH | Flowers were left to remember those who died: Laying flowers at the crash site where 4 teens and a teacher were killed 5 days ago Duration 0:57 Rourke was "the spunkiest, sassiest and coolest little girl," her cousin Rae said in a eulogy, adding she was "truly a bright light in our family." Others praised her resolve. Friends said Rourke shone in gymnastics and loved other sports, too, even those she wasn't the best at. She tried out for every team and had convinced herself that her sheer determination was going to win her athlete of the year. Rourke also had a presence on the stage and loved to act out a scene. Her "witty jokes, positive energy and sassy remarks could bring a smile to anyone's face," Rae said. "What hurts the most is that we had so many plans that are now left unfinished," her cousin said. "We were going to tour universities in the fall, travel the world and raise two little girls together that would be just like us. As we looked forward to these big moments in life, I never thought that Olivia wouldn't be experiencing them with me." Baker's cousin Aislyn said she left a mark on everyone she met through her "infectious smile, her goofy laugh and her positive and thoughtful presence." Remembered as a gifted piano player and quiet leader, she was a perfectionist and "vibrant young soul" who enjoyed expressing herself through her hair, makeup, nails and fashion. Baker was adventurous and independent — she enjoyed going to camp from a young age and wasn't afraid to go alone. She loved all sports but found her passion on the volleyball court. "Not only did Danica have a gorgeous face, but a gorgeous soul, too," Aislyn said. "Danica was just starting to blossom into this amazing independent and most caring person." The Walkerton community, home to about 4,500 residents, continues to mourn the tragedy. Last weekend, more than 1,000 people gathered outside the girls' school to show support during a vigil. WATCH | Hundreds mourn victims of fatal crash: Hundreds mourn outside school in Walkerton, Ont., for students, coach killed in crash 5 days ago Duration 4:30 Dozens of support workers had a presence at the school this week as students and staff grieve. Bluewater District School Board education director Lori Wilder said a memorial table had also been set up inside the school for the five victims. Chris Peabody, the mayor of Brockton, the municipality encompassing Walkerton, said the "incomprehensible tragedy" has left the town devastated. Prime Minister Mark Carney also shared his condolences on social media a few days after the incident, saying the five deaths are 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," Carney wrote on X.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Joint funeral held for two teens killed in crash that left five dead in Walkerton Ont.
Hundreds gather in the parking lot of the Walkerton District Community School in Walkerton, Ont. for a vigil on Sunday, May 25, 2025. On May 23,, 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 Two teens killed in a crash near London, Ont. just over a week ago were remembered Saturday for their contagious smiles that 'could light up absolutely everything.' Hundreds attended the joint funeral service for Olivia Rourke, 17, and Danica Baker, 16, at the Walkerton Community Centre, along with nearly 1,000 who tuned in to a livestream. The pair were killed along with two other girls, Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford, and their 33-year-old coach Matt Eckert, who was a teacher at Walkerton District Community School, when their sport utility vehicle collided with another SUV and a transport truck on May 23. The five had been returning from a softball tournament in the area. On Friday evening, the principal of Walkerton District Community School issued a statement about the tragedy, recognizing the teachers, staff, and support services that have served the community throughout the past week. We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support that we have received over the past week from our local communities in Bruce and Grey counties, across Ontario, and beyond. The kindness and solidarity shown by individuals, families, organizations, and communities have been a tremendous source of comfort and stability during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to our school community for your care, kindness, and generosity. We truly feel supported. — Roselyn Clancy, Principal, Walkerton District Community School At the funeral service on Saturday, Rourke was described by her cousin Rae in a eulogy as 'the spunkiest, sassiest and coolest little girl,' adding that her 'witty jokes, positive energy and sassy remarks could bring a smile to anyone's face.' Baker's cousin Aislyn said she left a mark on everyone she met through her infectious smile, her goofy laugh and her positive and thoughtful presence. - with files from CTV News London's Bailey Shakyaver
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
Walkerton, Ont., shattered after teen athletes, teacher killed in crash on way home from softball tournament
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.'
