‘Unimaginable loss’: Hanover, Ont. community grieves tragic loss of three teens

A community is reeling after three high school students from Hanover were killed in a crash, while a fourth remains in hospital. CTV’s Scott Miller reports.

A metal cross marks the spot where three teens lost their lives following a lunch hour crash near Hanover on Tuesday.

“It’s just an unimaginable loss,” said Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson.

At approximately noon on Tuesday, a vehicle carrying four teens left a rural gravel road between Hanover and Durham and rolled several times, according to West Grey police investigators.

Three of the teens were ejected from the vehicle and died on scene. Another teen suffered life threatening injuries and was airlifted to a London hospital.

All four were students at John Diefenbaker Senior School in Hanover and between the ages of 15 and 17.

“You can’t expect it. You can’t do anything about it. But, you know, we can come together and support each other. We will support the school, will support the families any way we can, and will support each other as a community,” said Paterson.

“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic motor vehicle collision in West Grey that claimed the lives of three young people and left another critically injured. Our hearts are with their families, friends, classmates, the first responders, and the entire community as we all process this heartbreaking news,” reads a Facebook post from the Canadian Mental Health Association of Bruce-Grey, amongst many groups and organizations offering condolences on Wednesday.

This isn’t the first time this year that a school and community in Grey-Bruce has had to deal with this kind of tragedy. In May, four students at Walkerton District Community School and their softball coach and teacher were killed in a crash north of London.

Flags in both communities were flown half-staff on Wednesday.

“Similar, heartbreaking loss,” said Paterson.

“For many of our students, staff, and families, we recognize that the shock and sadness they are experiencing may be compounded by recent tragedies that have occurred in some of our other schools. Much like those situations, we know that these students had many close connections and will be sadly missed by large networks of peers and staff,” said Bluewater District School Board Chair Jane Thomson and Director of Education, A.J. Keene in a joint statement.

Late Wednesday afternoon, West Grey Police Services shared that the condition of the fourth victim of Tuesday’s crash has improved from life-threatening injuries to critical, but stable.

It’s a small piece of good news on one of the darkest days in Hanover’s history.

“I can say on behalf of our entire community, heartfelt condolences to the families, to all the friends, the school community. Everyone who is grieving. People grieve together, and that’s a healing process. And, you know, if you can talk it out and talk to counselors, it’ll help a lot,” said Paterson.

The school board says their tragedy response team is offering counselling to students this week, and for as long as they need it. Counselling in the community is also being offered.

If you are a young person and need help right now, you can text or call Kids Help Phone - they are available 24/7 to listen, support, and help you through whatever you’re feeling.

Text CONNECT to 686868

Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or visit: https://kidshelpphone.ca/

You are never alone. If you or someone you know needs help, more local and provincial support lines and resources can be found at www.mentalhealthgreybruce.ca

With files from CTV News London’s Kristylee Varley