FOUR teenage girls and their teacher have died in a horrifying crash on their way home from a school softball tournament.
High school teacher Matt Eckert, 33, was driving an SUV carrying the student athletes when their car struck a tractor trailer.
All five individuals in the vehicle were killed when the two cars collided at a rural intersection in London, Ontario, around 4:30 pm on Friday.
Their SUV was then hit by a second SUV, Ontario Provincial Police said.
The driver of the trailer suffered minor injuries, as well as the driver and passenger in the other SUV.
It’s unclear what caused the crash.
Two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene, cops said.
Eckert was rushed to the hospital and later died.
A 16-year-old girl was flown to the hospital in a helicopter and died.
The teenagers killed were identified as Rowan McLeod, Kaydance Ford, Danica Baker, and Olivia Rourke.
Earlier that day, the teenagers were participating in a local softball tournament at Slo-Pitch City in Dorchester, which is a two-hour drive from their hometown of Walkerton.
The accident sadly happened just 20 minutes away from the field where they had been playing for the past day.
The tournament started on Thursday.
The girls, from Walkerton District Community School, played their final game at 2 pm on Friday.
The team finished the tournament in second place, owner Marnie Spencer told the London Free Press.
“They were so excited to get their medals for second place,” Spencer said.
“And something like that happens. It’s so devastating.”
Tara Twins Minor Softball’s statement
Tara Twins Minor Softball identified Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford as two of the victims killed in Friday’s horrifying collision.
“Tara Twins have lost two of our own in the tragic accident Friday near Dorchester,” the team said in a statement.
“Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford were members of our U18 girls team, coached by Rowan’s father Mike McLeod.
“Our entire Twins family is devastated by this loss, and our hearts go out to the families, friends, and teammates of these wonderful athletes. This tragedy is even more impactful for our association knowing 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.
“Our condolences go out to all the families impacted by this accident. The entire community of Walkerton is reeling, as well as many across Bruce and Grey Counties, as those lost were involved in so many sports teams, and friendships are widespread.
“Tara Twins along with TCDGHA Rebels, and Young Guns broomball team are offering a time for those hurting to come together for group support on Monday May 26th, 7pm at the Tara Community Centre hall.
“There will be Social Workers in attendance, and 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.
“Our prayers go out to everyone impacted by this senseless loss.”
Source: Facebook
While police didn’t initially name the teen girls killed in the crash, Tara Twins Minor Softball identified two of their team members, Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford, as victims.
“This tragedy hits harder for this association knowing that they were returning from playing the very sport of softball,” the team said in a statement.
Bluewater Ballistix Volleyball Club also identified volleyball player Danica Baker as another victim.
On Sunday night, hundreds of community members gathered at a candlelight vigil outside the high school where the students attended and Eckert worked as a teacher and coach.
Outside of coaching at the school, Eckert also worked as an assistant coach at a lacrosse club.
“The death of a teacher and four students from Friday’s car crash in Walkerton is heartbreaking,” Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X.
“This is an unimaginable loss — one that no family, no classmate, no school should ever have to endure.”
The police’s investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing.
