A sixth person has died following a serious two-vehicle collision in Mapleton Township, Ont. on June 12, according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
The update comes as families and community members were already gathering to mourn five children killed in the same crash.
Devastating collision at rural intersection
On June 12, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police Wellington County Detachment responded to a collision at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12 involving a passenger van and an SUV.
Police said four of the children inside the van were pronounced dead at the scene. A fifth child was pronounced dead in hospital.
Five other occupants of the van were injured, including an infant, with injuries ranging from serious to minor.
All 10 were from the Atwood area.
The driver of the SUV, a 42-year-old man from Brampton, was transported to hospital following the crash.
Police confirmed Saturday he had died in hospital Friday as a result of his injuries.
Funeral service for five children
A funeral was scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. followed by interment in Milverton, Ont. for the five children who were killed in the crash.
They have all been identified as members of the Doersken family.
Peter was 12 years old, Helena was 10, Sara was 8, Maggie was 6 and Susy was 4.
A visitation was held Friday at the Wallenstein Bible Chapel in Wallenstein, Ont.
Community rallies around family
Kara Carter, a pastor at Elmira Mennonite Church, is not associated with the family but said in the days following the crash, support has poured in from across the region, with online fundraisers raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help the affected families.
“[We’re] near that kind of small community culture that everybody knows each other or is connected to somebody or knows somebody who’s related and so we feel it in those ways,” she told CTV News on Saturday. “As I have been about in the community this past week, I have heard just this strong yearning, this need to respond. Some will be offering food, some will be offering transportation to see family members in the hospital. Others, it is a spiritual resource of prayer.”
Carter said the focus remains on remembrance — and on supporting those left behind as they continue to navigate an overwhelming loss.
“Our gatherings are such an important part in helping us move through grief. Grief is a long, long journey, and it is unique for each individual,” she said.
For those honouring the lives that were lost, it is a moment not focused on questions — but on saying goodbye.
“This tragedy has been extremely far reaching and so the numbers that gather today reflect that we need to be together in the midst of tragedy and trauma,” Carter said.
Investigation ongoing
The investigation is being led by the Wellington County OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
OPP Forensic Identification Services and the Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement team are also assisting.
Appeal for information
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage from the area to come forward.
Information can be provided directly to OPP or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
With reporting from CTV News Kitchener’s Alexandra Holyk, Jennifer Baker and Shelby Knox
