A tragic school bus crash occurred on Highway 401 near London, Ontario, resulting in the death of the bus driver and injuries to four students. The incident took place on Sunday morning, around 9:40 a.m., when the bus veered off the highway and tipped over.
Incident Overview
According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the bus was carrying 42 passengers, mostly students from Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (KCI). Four children were transported to the hospital, suffering from minor injuries.
- Crash Time: 9:40 a.m.
- Location: Highway 401, between Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Highbury Avenue
- Driver: 52-year-old male from Waterloo region
- Casualties: Driver deceased, four children injured
Details of the Crash
OPP Constable Steven Duguay reported that the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. It remains unclear what caused the bus to leave the highway. Witnesses suggest that the driver may have experienced a medical emergency. However, police have yet to confirm this.
Immediately after the incident, the highway’s westbound lanes were closed for several hours. Authorities established a command center at East Lions Community Centre to assist parents and families. The roadway was reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m.
Eyewitness Accounts
Students aboard the bus described a chaotic scene. Fourteen-year-old Charlotte Weldon recounted that the bus was jolted before tipping sideways into a ditch. Other students, like Maddie and Lily Knight, noted the panic that ensued as they tried to escape.
Many parents rushed to the community center to reunite with their children, visibly shaken by the events. Linnea Knight, mother of Maddie and Lily, emphasized the need for improved school bus safety measures in light of the crash.
School Response
The Waterloo Region District School Board has communicated with families and is coordinating the safe return of the students involved. A separate bus was dispatched to return students who were not part of the crash.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. The community seeks answers and hopes this tragedy will foster discussions about the safety of school transport.
