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A devastating road accident has left a tight-knit Ontario community reeling after a crash claimed the lives of four teenage girls and their coach late Friday afternoon.
The victims, all members of a school softball team from Walkerton District Community School, were returning from a tournament when their SUV collided with a transport truck and then struck another vehicle in Middlesex County, near London, Ont.
According to Ontario Provincial Police, the collision occurred around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads. The vehicle, carrying the five victims, was driven by 33-year-old Matt Eckert, a teacher and beloved coach at the school.
Three of the passengers — two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl — were pronounced dead at the scene. Eckert and a fourth 16-year-old girl were transported to hospital with critical injuries but later died.
The occupants of the second SUV and the driver of the transport truck sustained only minor injuries, police confirmed. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and officials are calling on anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact Middlesex OPP or Crime Stoppers.
A Community in Mourning
Since the tragedy, an outpouring of grief has spread across the Walkerton area and beyond. Flowers now blanket the crash site, and residents have been placing candles and running shoes outside their homes in tribute to the victims.
On Sunday night, hundreds gathered outside Walkerton District Community School for an emotional candlelight vigil. Photos from the scene show rows of flickering candles and floral arrangements left in front of the school — a symbol of collective sorrow.
The Bluewater District School Board, in a statement, confirmed that all four girls attended the school and expressed “deepest sorrows” over what it called a “profound loss.” Mental health and crisis response teams have been deployed to support students and staff returning to school this week.
“We are all here to support one another,” the board stated, while emphasizing privacy for the grieving families and the broader impact on surrounding communities.
Remembering Coach Matt Eckert
Tributes have also poured in for Matt Eckert, who taught at Walkerton District and served as an assistant coach for the Owen Sound NorthStars Junior B Lacrosse Club. Ethan Woods, the team’s general manager, remembered him as a “dedicated mentor” and a “best friend” to fellow coaches.
“His infectious smile and caring heart are things that will never be forgotten,” Woods wrote on social media.
Leaders Offer Condolences
The tragedy has drawn reactions from across the country. Flags in the municipality of Brockton have been lowered to half-mast. Mayor Chris Peabody urged residents to come together “with compassion and support” as the town copes with the loss.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the crash “an unimaginable loss,” stating on X, “Canadians are holding the Walkerton community in our hearts.”
Premier Doug Ford echoed those sentiments, writing, “I’m devastated to hear of this tragic accident. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss.”
Investigation Ongoing
While officials have not yet released the names of the girls involved, the incident is being treated as a top priority by local authorities. Investigators continue to examine the sequence of events that led to the collision, but no cause has been publicly confirmed.
As the investigation continues, Walkerton and its surrounding areas face a long road to healing — united in grief, but determined to remember those they lost.
