Two First Nations are in mourning after a van full of kids coming home from laser tag was hit in a “horrific” head-on crash, killing two girls, the driver of the other car and leaving other children with “life-altering” injuries.
Ontario Provincial Police and several emergency crews were called to Highway 6. shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Police say a vehicle being driven by a 21-year-old man was travelling northbound when it crossed over the centre line and collided head-on with a passenger van carrying seven youths and one adult.
OPP identified the victims as, 12-year-old Grace King and 14-year-old Waagosh Secord of Mississauga’s of the New Credit First Nation.
The driver, 21-year-old Wyatt Martin of Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, who was travelling northbound, was also pronounced dead at the scene.
“This is a very traumatic collision that took place,” said OPP Cst. Ed Sanchuk. “It’s difficult to tell loved ones that their family members are deceased especially when you have a 12 and 14 year old female. I have kids of my own that are nine and 13, so it hits home really close.”
The 27-year-old man driving the passenger van and five other young people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Highway 6 was closed between Fourth Line and Fifth Line for several hours but has since been reopened.
“We are trying to piece together the puzzle of exactly what happened here. We have more questions than answers,” said Sanchuk.
Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation posted on their website that classes at Lloyd S. King Elementary are cancelled for Thursday, March 30th. The MNCFN Community Centre is open and victim services is in attendance.
Agencies/Canadajournal