Grey-Bruce community pulls together for families of crash victims

A local mom has started a candle lighting campaign in memory of three teens killed in a crash near Hanover. CTV’s Scott Miller reports.

Anne Pilon Sommerville is encouraging Grey-Bruce residents to light a candle each night for the four teens involved in Tuesday’s horrific crash near Hanover, Ont.

“I work with two of the parents that are involved in the accident. And yeah, I just, I couldn’t imagine I as a new parent, Honest to God, I couldn’t imagine what they’re going through,” said the Durham, Ont. mother.

Three teens, all students at John Diefenbaker Senior School in Hanover, died after being ejected from a vehicle that police say, “rolled several times” after leaving a rural side road, between Hanover and Durham on Tuesday.

The fourth teen involved survived, and is listed in critical but stable condition, according to West Grey Police Services, who are investigating what led to Tuesday’s noon hour crash.

The tragedy is the second such mass student casualty accident in the past six months involving students from Grey-Bruce.

“Well, I certainly didn’t believe it, because it just seemed, completely unbelievable that such a tragedy would revisit the region,” said Municipality of Brockton Mayor, Chris Peabody.

This May, four students and a teacher from Walkerton District Community School were killed near London as they returned from a school softball tournament.

“As mayor, it was extremely heartbreaking and devastating. I had a lot of trouble, myself, getting through things because of, just the huge impact on our town,” he said.

Peabody has offered whatever support he can to the communities of Hanover and West Grey who are more directly impacted by this most recent tragedy.

Like those three communities, Grey County lowered their flags to half-staff Thursday, marking the sudden deaths of the three teens.

“We are shocked, heartbroken, and extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, classmates, staff, and everyone in the community who is mourning this profound loss. As well, our thoughts are with the fourth student, who was transported to hospital. The impact of this tragedy is far reaching and extends across our community,” reads Grey County in a Facebook post.

For new mom Pilon Sommerville, this all brings back memories of her brother’s sudden death many years ago and how the community supported their family. She plans to sell special ‘JDSS Strong’ candles and donate the proceeds to the families of the crash victims, whom she knows through work.

So far, hundreds of people have joined her in her nightly candle lighting for those involved in the tragedy.

“Just remember and hope for the kids that were lost, and the one that is still fighting. So, everybody at a certain time at night, or whenever, light a candle, and think of them,” she said.

A candlelight vigil is being held at Grace United Church on Friday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

You can learn more about the JDSS candles on their Facebook page.

For those struggling with the tragic loss of the students, counselling is available through John Diefenbaker Senior School and throughout the community.

Additional mental health services

• Kids Help Phone
• Hope for Wellness Helpline
• Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services
• Resources for parents/guardians: kidsgrief.ca
• Mental Health Crisis Help call 9-8-8