A tragic incident occurred on Sunday when 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, as reported by 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.
According to OPP Const. Steven Duguay, the single-vehicle collision occurred at approximately 9:40 a.m., causing the bus to tip over and come to a stop after leaving the highway. Of the 42 passengers on board, four children were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while the bus driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the 52-year-old school bus driver from the Waterloo region has not been disclosed by the police. Following the crash, a command center was established at the East Lions Community Centre in southeast London to assist parents in reuniting with their children, who were on a Grade 9 school trip from Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School to Point Pelee National Park.
Witnesses described chaotic moments during and after the crash, with some suggesting the driver may have experienced a medical emergency. However, police have not confirmed the cause and are still investigating. Linnea Knight, a parent of two students on the bus, emphasized the importance of school bus safety in light of the incident.
The Waterloo Region District School Board is providing support to the affected students and families, with plans in place to ensure their safe return following the traumatic event. The board confirmed that a second school bus carrying KCI students, not involved in the crash, was rerouted back to the school.