Hundreds of people attended a vigil Sunday night in honour of four students and a teacher at Walkerton District Community School who were killed in a crash northeast of London.
The community vigil was held outside of the school, where a memorial of flowers and stuffed animals grew throughout the weekend. The school's flags have also been lowered to half-staff in tribute, as have municipal flags in the town. They will remain lowered until after funeral services for the five have been held, according to a joint statement from Municipality of Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody and Chief Administrative Officer Sonya Watson.
"Our hearts are with the families and friends who are grieving this devastating event throughout the community," the statement read. "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. We encourage all community members to come together offering compassion and support to one another as we navigate this profound loss."
The five were driving home after a sporting event in Dorchester around 4:30 p.m. on Friday when the SUV they were in collided with a transport truck that then hit another vehicle at the intersection of Thorndale and Cobble Hill roads in Thames Centre.
Two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene. A 33-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl died in hospital. The driver and passenger in the other SUV and the driver of the transport truck suffered minor injuries.
None of the victims have been named by OPP. However, the man killed was identified as coach and teacher Matt Eckert in a social media post by the Owen Sound North Stars Jr. B lacrosse team. Two of the teenage girls were identified by their softball team, the Tara Twins, as Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford. The pair were members of the U18 girls team.
"Our entire Twins family is reeling from this loss, and our hearts go out to the families, friends and teammates of these beautiful athletes," the team said in a statement. "This tragedy hits harder for this association knowing that they were returning from playing the very sport of softball. We hope that those suffering can take some solace in the fact that we are truly a Softball family, and are here to support one another in any way necessary."
The Tara Twins, along with the TCDGHA Rebels, and Young Guns broomball team, will be holding an event to offer group support to anyone interested at the Tara Community Centre hall at 7 p.m. on Monday. Social workers will be present at the support event.
"This invitation is extended to anyone wanting to join in an environment of sharing, caring and supporting each other through this so difficult and unfathomable time," the Tara Twins said.
The Bluewater Ballistix, a volleyball team with the Ontario Volleyball Association, identified Danica Baker as another victim of the crash. She was a member of the U17G Ballistix Boom team.
"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," the team wrote on social media.
The fourth teenager killed was identified by CTV News as Olivia Rourke.
As another tribute to the five killed, people across the region were asked to place running shoes outside of their homes.
Condolences, which have poured in locally, have also come in provincially and nationally. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his sorrow in a post to social media Sunday night.
"The death of a teacher and four students from Friday’s car crash in Walkerton is heartbreaking. This is an unimaginable loss — one that no family, no classmate, no school should ever have to endure," Carney wrote. "Canadians are holding the Walkerton community in our hearts."
Premier Doug Ford posted that he was "devastated" by the deadly crash.
"My thoughts are with the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss," Ford wrote.
Bluewater District school board has advised it will provide grief counselling and one-on-one support to any students and staff who are struggling with the devastating loss. Members of the board's Tragedy Response Team will be at the school on Monday and remain throughout the week.
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