Shortly after 10:30 a.m. Monday, first responders attended the scene of a crash on Highway 401 near Ayr, Ont., south of Kitchener, involving a pickup truck with a driver and a minivan carrying six people, according to the OPP.
Three passengers in the minivan were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Two of the people later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
Two other occupants of the minivan and the truck driver were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while the driver of the minivan was treated at the scene with minor injuries.
A 17km stretch of eastbound freeway was closed for six hours.
Police are investigating a crash on Hwy 401 eastbound near Ayr, Ont. on October 31, 2022.
According to a press release from King’s University College, the two people who died and two others who were injured in Monday’s accident were international students from China.
“King’s and Western University International have been in contact with the families of those involved in the conflict. We are working closely with them and the injured students, offering all the support we have at this very difficult time,” said a statement.
The school says the two students who died were enrolled at King’s in their first year of social studies.
“We are sorry for the loss of these young lives. This is a great shock and tragedy for King’s and the wider Western University community. These were people committed to studying in Canada. We are deeply sorry and our condolences go out to the families and friends of all those affected by this tragedy,” King President Dr. David Malloy said in the statement.
King’s says that out of respect for the families involved, the identities of the students who died and were injured will not be released at this time.
Speaking to CTV News London on Tuesday, Malloy said the two students who died had a “bright future” at King’s, adding that the students were in Toronto shopping because it was the first day of reading week.
“We are doing everything we can to support the injured students in the hospital,” the statement said. “One student is in serious condition and one student has minor injuries.”
Malloy adds, “We’ve lowered our flags and will be doing more in the coming days. We are also working with the Canadian government and embassies to expedite any travel requirements for the families to get here from China as quickly as possible.”
King’s says more information will be released when it becomes available.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
— With files by CTV News London’s Jaden Lee-Lincoln and CTV News Kitchener’s Alison Sandstrom
