Five kids killed in Ontario collision, others seriously injured: police

Five children are dead and an infant is among the other people injured after a two-vehicle collision in rural Ontario.

The Ontario Provincial Police say the four girls and one boy were between the ages of four and 12.

The crash happened around 7:30 p.m., Friday evening, in Mapleton Township, northwest of Kitchener, at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12.

Investigators say a van with 10 people inside and a sport utility vehicle with one person collided at the intersection, resulting in occupants from both vehicles sustaining serious, life-threatening injuries, alongside the children’s deaths.

The children who died are all related, OPP Superintendent Dwight Thib told reporters at police headquarters in Fergus, Ont.

“This is an unimaginable loss,” Thib said.

An infant, four adults and the driver of the SUV were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Thib thanked the “Good Samaritans” who stopped to help first responders, adding the victims received “immediate care” at the scene.

At least three people were airlifted to various trauma centres, while others were rushed to local hospitals.

Police are investigating the full circumstances of the crash, Thib said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2026.

The Canadian Press