On behalf of Bluewater District School Board, we join staff, trustees, students, families, and members of our communities in expressing our deepest sorrow following the tragic events of Friday afternoon (May 23, 2025). As many of you may have heard by now, four secondary students and one staff member from Walkerton District Community School (WDCS) passed away tragically in a motor vehicle collision while returning from a sporting event near London.

At this time, our focus is on supporting and respecting the privacy of the grieving families. Please join us in holding them closely in our hearts and thoughts.

This is a devastating loss for WDCS, the local community, and our entire board. We recognize that many individuals in other communities across Bluewater also have close connections with those lost in this tragedy, and their families. It is important to acknowledge how this tragedy is impacting them as well. We are all here to support one another.

Our board’s mental health staff and Tragedy Response Team are being deployed to support students and staff as they grieve and prepare to navigate an incredibly difficult and emotional time in the days and weeks ahead.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families directly impacted by Friday’s tragedy as they deal with unimaginable grief and sadness during this time of profound loss.


Jane Thomson  Lori Wilder
Chair  Director of Education