Flowers and stuffed animals have been left at the scene of a horrific crash that killed five young children in southwestern Ontario.
The siblings were traveling with five other family members when their van collided with an SUV at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12 in Mapleton Township, north of Waterloo.
The children were aged 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Their parents, grandmother, a 15-month-old sibling and another family member were also in the van. The mother was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, while the father’s condition was described as stable. The infant was also hurt.
Police have said the family was from the Elmira area.
The driver of the SUV was also taken to hospital with two broken legs.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
“Several members of the public were on scene to try to provide assistance until first responders arrived on scene,” Ontario Provincial Police Const. Matthew Burton told CTV News on Monday. “We want to thank the public for their assistance.”
He urged anyone who witnessed the crash to reach out to police.
Burton said investigators will be speaking with the adults involved.
“We’re going to give them some time and space to recover, and then we’re going to revisit that, to be able to speak to them. What did they see?”
In the meantime, first responders are also struggling to cope with what happened that day. At least seven volunteer firefighters from Mapleton Township were called to the crash.
“First and foremost, we just want to make sure that the family involved is being taken care of and that everybody is focused on them,” Tri Fire Services Director and Fire Chief Chris Harrow explained. “What we do will come afterwards and we’ll take care of our people.”
‘Our community is heartbroken’
Condolences are pouring in from community members and politicians at both the local and federal level.
Stuffed animals and flowers were left in a patch of grass that had been torn up in the collision.
Prime Minister Mark Carney shared his condolences on social media, writing: “My thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they face this horrific tragedy, and with the people of Elmira and Mapleton. I offer my sincere thanks to the first responders for their swift action and support of those who were injured.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. He wrote: “My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the children who were killed in the traffic collision that took place yesterday in Mapleton Township, and with those currently being cared for in hospital.”
Sandy Shantz, the mayor of nearby Woolwich Township, also shared her condolences in an online statement.
“Our community is heartbroken by the tragic loss of five children in Friday’s accident,” Shantz said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends and everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy. As the community grieves, please respect the privacy of the families and give them the space they need to grieve during this incredibly difficult time.”
