**Headline: “Ontario Community Shattered After Fatal School Bus Crash Claims Lives of 5 Children”**
**Ontario, May 8, 2025** — A quiet Ontario town is grappling with heartbreak after a devastating school bus crash claimed the lives of five children and left several others injured on Wednesday morning. The tragedy unfolded on a rural road just outside of Peterborough when the bus, carrying 23 elementary students, collided with a transport truck in heavy fog conditions.
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 7:45 a.m. after witnesses reported a loud crash near County Road 15. According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the school bus was travelling eastbound when it lost control on a sharp turn and struck an oncoming semi-truck head-on. Authorities believe visibility may have played a significant role, as early-morning fog severely reduced sightlines on the road.
Five children between the ages of 7 and 11 were pronounced dead at the scene. Ten more were transported to local hospitals with various injuries, three of them listed in critical condition as of Thursday morning. The driver of the school bus, a 54-year-old woman with over a decade of experience, also sustained serious injuries and is currently in stable condition. The truck driver, who was travelling alone, was treated for minor injuries and released.
“This is a day none of us will ever forget,” said Peterborough County OPP Staff Sgt. Lisa Wylie during an emotional press briefing. “Our hearts are with the families who are suffering unimaginable loss. We are doing everything in our power to support them and investigate exactly what went wrong.”
The affected school, Maple Ridge Elementary, has suspended classes for the remainder of the week. Grief counsellors have been dispatched to assist students, staff, and families as the community comes to terms with the tragedy. A makeshift memorial of flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes has grown steadily outside the school gates since news of the accident broke.
Premier Doug Ford addressed the province Wednesday evening, calling the accident “a heartbreaking reminder of how precious life is.” He extended condolences on behalf of all Ontarians and promised a full investigation into the crash. “We will get answers for the families. We owe them nothing less,” Ford said.
Investigators from the Ministry of Transportation and OPP Collision Reconstruction Unit remain at the crash site, examining both vehicles and collecting evidence. Early reports suggest the bus may not have been equipped with seatbelts, raising new concerns about school transportation safety across the province.
As Ontario mourns this profound loss, communities near and far are offering support. Vigils are being organized in Peterborough and across the region, while a GoFundMe campaign launched by a local parent has already raised over \$150,000 to assist the victims’ families with funeral costs and medical expenses.
In the wake of such a tragedy, questions loom — but the immediate focus remains on healing. As Staff Sgt. Wylie noted, “Right now, our community needs to hold each other close. The road ahead is long, but we will walk it together.”
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