Two small, close-knit communities in southern Ontario are in mourning after a crash earlier this week killed three teenagers and left another seriously injured.
West Gray Police say one vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon in Hanover's neighboring municipality of West Gray was “devastating” for the community.
West Gray Mayor Kevin Eccles told Global News on Thursday that the accident left a lasting mark on the close-knit region.
“When you live in a rural area, it affects everyone,” he said.
Around 12 p.m. Tuesday, the car crashed on Concession 2, near Allan Park Road, and flipped several times before coming to rest, police said.
Three young people, one woman and two men, were thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth man was airlifted to London Health Sciences Centre, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
All four students attended John Diefenbaker Senior School (JDSS) in Hanover.
Bluewater District School Board officials said they will provide additional support to students and staff during this tragic time.
“This is a very difficult time for our students, staff and families at Bluewater… such a significant loss of life and certainly brings back recent memories of other tragedies in our school communities,” said Jamie Pettit, a board spokesman.
Get the latest national news
To stay on top of news affecting Canada and the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.
The incident comes just months after another tragedy rocked the region.
In May, a car crash killed four students and a teacher at Walkerton County Community School, located about 20 miles northwest of Hanover. The tragedy left its mark on the Bluewater County School Board community. The latest tragedy has brought back painful memories for many.
“It’s not the first time, but every time it’s just as tragic,” Eccles said.
In the days following the disaster, many people from different communities in and around Hanover came together to show solidarity, with hundreds of people using the hashtag #JDSSStrong to express condolences and support.
Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson said the entire city is mourning along with neighboring municipalities.
“We are a close-knit community, especially when it comes to tragic incidents like this,” she said.
Paterson said city officials have lowered flags at the community center, police station, arena, aquatic center and other municipal buildings to half-staff in a show of support.
She added that local churches and residents have begun organizing vigils and a memorial has been erected near the crash site.
A memorial has been built near the site of the crash, where three teenagers were killed and a fourth was critically injured, for community members to mourn.
Global news
Const. Allison Iles with West Gray police called the crash “devastating.”
“It's been a tough couple of days, it's hit everyone really hard,” she said. “We have a lot of resources and support for those who need it, so reach out to someone and let them know if you need someone to talk to.”
Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody, whose municipality borders Hanover and West Gray, also issued a statement of solidarity. “We are heartbroken to learn of this tragedy.”
He added that the city also mourns with “the first responders and healthcare workers affected by this heartbreaking event.”
There will be a vigil at Grace United Church in Hanover on November 14th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for anyone who would like to “come and light a candle, pray or offer quiet reflection.”
Eccles said the tragedy will take time to heal its wounds.
“No matter what your relationship is with individuals, the community will come together and offer a lot of support,” Eccles said. “It’s instinctive in the countryside, and I’m honored to live in a place like this.”
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
