A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday as a school bus driver lost their life and four children sustained minor injuries in a school bus accident on the westbound lanes of Highway 401 in London, Ont., according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The crash led to the closure of the westbound lanes between Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Highbury Avenue for several hours until the roadway was reopened just after 4:30 p.m.
The collision, involving a single school bus carrying 42 passengers, occurred around 9:40 a.m. The bus veered off the highway, tipped over, and eventually came to a halt, as described by OPP Constable Steven Duguay. Four children were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while sadly, the school bus driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 52-year-old man from the Waterloo region, has not been identified by the police.
Following the accident, a command center was established at the East Lions Community Centre in southeast London where emotional parents were reunited with their children. The bus was transporting Grade 9 students from Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School to Point Pelee National Park for a school trip.
Eyewitness accounts from students and parents revealed chaotic moments during and after the crash. While the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, some witnesses mentioned a possible medical emergency affecting the driver. Linnea Knight, a parent, expressed relief that her daughters were safe and highlighted the importance of school bus safety measures.
The Waterloo Region District School Board confirmed that arrangements were being made to reunite the students with their families and provide necessary support. Another school bus carrying KCI students, which was not involved in the incident, was redirected back to the school. Discussions on enhancing safety protocols for school transportation have been sparked by this unfortunate event.