A tragic incident occurred on Sunday as a school bus veered off the westbound lanes of Highway 401 in London, Ont., resulting in the death of the bus driver and minor injuries to four children, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The crash led to the closure of the highway’s westbound lanes between Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Highbury Avenue for several hours, with the roadway reopening around 4:30 p.m.
The single-vehicle collision took place around 9:40 a.m., as stated by OPP Const. Steven Duguay. The bus lost control, tipped over, and came to a halt, carrying 42 passengers, four of whom were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver, a 52-year-old man from the Waterloo region, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, with the police withholding the driver’s name at this time. Following the incident, a command center was established at the East Lions Community Centre in southeast London, where emotional reunions between parents and children took place.
The bus was transporting a Grade 9 class from Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School to Point Pelee National Park for a school trip. Witness accounts from students and parents described the chaotic moments during and after the crash, with some suggesting a possible medical emergency involving the driver. The police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the bus leaving the road.
Parents and families have been contacted by the Waterloo Region District School Board to arrange for the safe return of the students involved in the crash. Additional support will be provided to help students navigate through this challenging situation. This unfortunate incident has sparked conversations about the importance of school bus safety measures.