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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
CBC
4 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
4 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
CBC
27-05-2025
- CBC
In wake of London, Ont.-area crash that killed 5, municipality looking at safety upgrades
Local councillors are calling for safety improvements at an intersection outside London, Ont., after four high school students and a teacher died following a crash on Friday. A motion considered at this evening's Thames Centre council meeting calls on the upper-tier municipalities of Middlesex and Oxford to conduct a traffic and roadway study of the intersection once the ongoing OPP investigation wraps up. Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the motion. It was at the intersection, at about 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, that four high school students — aged 16 to 17 — and their 33-year-old teacher died after the SUV they were riding in collided with a transport truck. Following the initial collision, the SUV was then struck by a second SUV. Three of the five died at the scene and the two others died in hospital. The driver of the transport truck and two people in the other SUV suffered minor injuries. The students and teacher were on their way home to Walkerton — two hours away — after competing in a high school softball tournament in Dorchester, just east of London. The students have been identified as Olivia Rourke, Rowan McLeod, Kaydance Ford and Danica Baker. Their teacher was Matt Eckert. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of support. Friends and family members held a vigil Sunday in Walkerton. Thames Centre Coun. Thomas Heeman is backing a motion that calls on the upper-tier municipalities of Middlesex Centre and Oxford County to consider undertaking a traffic study of the intersection to find ways to improve its safety. "We haven't seen a loss of life this significant in some time," said Heeman. "I think the council wants to indicate that we want to work in partnership with the county ... on whatever can be done to learn from this situation and prevent such an incident in the future." Cobble Hills Road is two lanes and runs north-south. Drivers on Cobble Hills come to a stop sign at the intersection of the busier Thorndale Road. Tyson Ball is general manager of the Cobble Hills Golf Club, located two kilometres south of the intersection with Thorndale Road. He frequently drives through the intersection. Ball didn't comment on what may have caused Friday's crash, but welcomes any safety enhancements to the road. Drivers often reach highway speeds on the open farm roads and then blow past stop signs, creating the potential for deadly T-bone collisions, Ball added. "They're 80-kilometre-an-hour highways but drivers tend to drive that or a little bit faster," he said. "And we have a lot of people that just drive through the stop signs, whether they don't see them, or they're distracted or it's night-time or whatever." Ball said adding rumble strips on Cobble Hills Road near the Thorndale Road intersection might help. The strips generate noise to alert drivers they're coming to a stop sign. About five kilometres south of Friday's crash site is the intersection of Cobble Hills Road and Evelyn Drive, where lights were added atop stop signs after a number of crashes, including a fatal collision in 2022. Heeman would like the municipality to consider that kind of upgrade at the intersection where Friday's crash happened. "It's just finding ways to highlight [the stop signs] so they become more visible," he said. Woman travels to area to honour the victims Meanwhile, mourning the students and teacher continues. On Monday, Valerie Brown made a special trip to the crash site from Woodstock, about 30 minutes away, to place a bouquet of flowers at the roadside. "I just couldn't stop thinking about the girls, and their families, and the teacher, and the poor town and everybody concerned," said Brown. "I have a 16-year-old granddaughter who plays hockey and she could be in the same situation. "I feel so deeply for the people of Walkerton, and I just wanted the parents and the town to know that there are so many people out here that think about them, that care about them and sympathize with them."
CBC
26-05-2025
- CBC
In wake of London, Ont.-area crash that killed 5, municipality asked to consider safety upgrades
Local councillors are calling for safety improvements at an intersection outside London, Ont., after four high school students and a teacher died following a crash on Friday. A motion set to be considered at this evening's Thames Centre council meeting calls on the upper-tier municipalities of Middlesex and Oxford to conduct a traffic and roadway study of the intersection once the ongoing OPP investigation wraps up. It was at that intersection, at about 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, that four high school students — aged 16 to 17 — and their 33-year-old teacher died after the SUV they were riding in collided with a transport truck. Following the initial collision, the SUV was then struck by a second SUV. Three of the five died at the scene and the two others died in hospital. The driver of the transport truck and two people in the other SUV suffered minor injuries. The students and teacher were on their way home to Walkerton — two hours away — after competing in a high school softball tournament in Dorchester, just east of London. The students have been identified as Olivia Rourke, Rowan McLeod, Kaydance Ford and Danica Baker. Their teacher was Matt Eckert. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of support. Friends and family members held a vigil Sunday in Walkerton. Thames Centre Coun. Thomas Heeman is backing a motion that calls on the upper-tier municipalities of Middlesex Centre and Oxford County to consider undertaking a traffic study of the intersection to find ways to improve its safety. "We haven't seen a loss of life this significant in some time," said Heeman. "I think the council wants to indicate that we want to work in partnership with the county ... on whatever can be done to learn from this situation and prevent such an incident in the future." Cobble Hills Road is two lanes and runs north-south. Drivers on Cobble Hills come to a stop sign at the intersection of the busier Thorndale Road. Tyson Ball is general manager of the Cobble Hills Golf Club, located two kilometres south of the intersection with Thorndale Road. He frequently drives through the intersection. Ball didn't comment on what may have caused Friday's crash, but welcomes any safety enhancements to the road. Drivers often reach highway speeds on the open farm roads and then blow past stop signs, creating the potential for deadly T-bone collisions, Ball added. "They're 80-kilometre-an-hour highways but drivers tend to drive that or a little bit faster," he said. "And we have a lot of people that just drive through the stop signs, whether they don't see them, or they're distracted or it's night-time or whatever." Ball said adding rumble strips on Cobble Hills Road near the Thorndale Road intersection might help. The strips generate noise to alert drivers they're coming to a stop sign. About five kilometres south of Friday's crash site is the intersection of Cobble Hills Road and Evelyn Drive, where lights were added atop stop signs after a number of crashes, including a fatal collision in 2022. Heeman would like the municipality to consider that kind of upgrade at the intersection where Friday's crash happened. "It's just finding ways to highlight [the stop signs] so they become more visible," he said. Woman travels to area to honour the victims Meanwhile, mourning the students and teacher continues. On Monday, Valerie Brown made a special trip to the crash site from Woodstock, about 30 minutes away, to place a bouquet of flowers at the roadside. "I just couldn't stop thinking about the girls, and their families, and the teacher, and the poor town and everybody concerned," said Brown. "I have a 16-year-old granddaughter who plays hockey and she could be in the same situation. "I feel so deeply for the people of Walkerton, and I just wanted the parents and the town to know that there are so many people out here that think about them, that care about them and sympathize with them."
