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, which took place around 9:40 a.m., led to a temporary closure of the highway’s westbound lanes between Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Highbury Avenue for several hours. The bus, carrying 42 passengers, went off the highway, tipped over, and came to a stop, according to OPP Const. Steven Duguay.
Sadly, the school bus driver, a 52-year-old man from the Waterloo region, was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the driver’s death remains under investigation by the authorities, who have not disclosed the driver’s identity.
After the incident, a command center was set up at the East Lions Community Centre in southeast London, where emotional reunions between parents and children took place. The bus was transporting Grade 9 students from Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School to Point Pelee National Park for a school trip.
Witnesses described chaotic moments during and after the crash, with students recounting how the bus swerved, hit a sign, and rolled over into a ditch. Some speculated that the driver may have experienced a medical emergency, although the exact cause of the crash is still being investigated by the police.
Despite the harrowing experience, many parents expressed relief that their children escaped with minor injuries and emphasized the importance of school bus safety. The Waterloo Region District School Board is providing support to the affected students and their families, ensuring their safe return and offering assistance in navigating the aftermath of the incident.