A devastating multi-vehicle collision near London, Ontario has claimed the lives of five people, including a beloved teacher and four high school students who were returning from a softball tournament on Friday afternoon, May 23.
The fatal crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads in Middlesex County, according to Ontario Provincial Police. Matt Eckert, 33, a teacher and coach at Walkerton District Community School, was driving an SUV carrying four female students when their vehicle collided with a transport truck, which then crashed into a second SUV.
Three passengers from the first SUV—two 17-year-old girls and one 16-year-old girl—were pronounced dead at the scene. Eckert and another 16-year-old girl were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died from their injuries. The transport truck driver and occupants of the second SUV suffered minor injuries.
The four students who lost their lives have been identified as Olivia Rourke, Rowan McLeod, Kaydance Ford, and Danica Baker. The group was returning to Walkerton, a town in Ontario, after participating in the 27th annual Girls’ High School Invitational Slo-Pitch Tournament in Dorchester.
The Tara Twins U18 girls softball team confirmed that two of the victims, Rowan McLeod and Kaydance Ford, were members of their team. The organization expressed its grief on Facebook, noting that the team was coached by Rowan’s father, Mike McLeod. Team officials indicated that their entire organization was reeling from the loss and extended their hearts to the families, friends and teammates of the athletes.
Eckert served multiple roles in the community beyond his position at the school. He was also an assistant coach with the Owen Sound Junior B Northstars Lacrosse Club. Ethan Woods, the general manager of the lacrosse club, described the organization as heartbroken and crushed to lose an important member of their family. Woods emphasized that Eckert connected with players on an indescribable level and would be remembered for his infectious smile and caring heart.
The tight-knit community of Walkerton has rallied together in response to the tragedy. Residents have placed flowers outside the school and lowered flags to half-mast. In a touching tribute, several community members have placed running shoes on their porches and left lights on in honor of the victims and their families.
Students and former students have shared memories of Eckert’s impact as an educator. Jasmine Hunter, 16, who had Eckert as a math teacher in the past, remembered him as a great teacher who handled classroom discipline in a fun way. Another student, 15-year-old Keegan Padfield, described Eckert as a really nice person who liked to make jokes and was always kind to students.
Riley Oderkirk, a 16-year-old student with autism and a learning disability in math, had a particularly meaningful relationship with Eckert. Her mother, Kayla Morrison, explained that a previous teacher had told her daughter she would never attend college because she couldn’t pass math. However, Eckert changed everything for Oderkirk. Armed with enthusiasm and humor, he made learning enjoyable and believed in her potential. Morrison now credits him as the reason her daughter will be able to attend college or university.
Oderkirk reflected on her teacher’s approach, noting that “he loved teaching his students” and believed that everybody was capable of something great. She described how Eckert spent countless hours helping her earn her math credit, demonstrating his dedication to student success.
The Bluewater District School Board has responded to the tragedy by deploying mental health staff and a tragedy response team to support students and staff returning to school. Jamie Pettit, a spokesperson for the board, characterized the situation as a time of unimaginable grief that has left a huge void in the community—one that will linger long beyond the initial grief stage.
Lori Wilder, director of education at the Bluewater District School Board, acknowledged the far-reaching impact of the loss beyond just the school the victims attended. She described the day as very sad but also noted how people had come together to grieve collectively while working through their emotions. Wilder emphasized that the four students were known as very helpful, kind, and happy-go-lucky individuals who were being remembered by their peers for how caring they were.
A community vigil was held outside the school on Sunday, where residents gathered to pay their respects to all five victims. The outpouring of support has included bouquets of flowers and teddy bears placed outside Walkerton District Community School, with some community members hanging sports jerseys outside their homes in tribute.
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate the cause of the collision. The school board has expressed its deepest sorrows for the families dealing with what they described as the profound loss from Friday’s crash, while emphasizing their focus on supporting and respecting the privacy of the grieving families during this difficult time.