in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
May 28, 2025
BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — Tragedy struck the Walkerton community last week, when a motor vehicle crash claimed the lives of four students and one teacher from Walkerton District Community School. On May 25, a post on the school's Facebook page revealed that "friends, classmates, and community members have identified the Teacher/Coach as Matt Eckert. The four members of the girls softball team that perished in Friday's crash have been identified as Olivia Rourke, Rowan McLeod, Danica Baker, and Kaydance Ford."
The post went on to say that "classmates described all four student/athletes as "wonderful people" and "bright students." All of Southwestern Ontario is now mourning their loss. The group was returning from a sporting event when their sport utility vehicle collided with another SUV and a transport truck near London, Ontario.
Accordingly, discretion and caution have been requested in the publication of this tragic event and families are asking for privacy at this extremely difficult time.
On May 28, the Rourke family issued this statement and have approved the photo used in this story, for publication:
It is with overwhelming grief that we confirm the loss of our beloved daughter, Olivia. No words can capture the depth of our sorrow or the pain we are experiencing as a family. Olivia was a light in our lives — full of kindness, laughter, dance, song and love — and her absence leaves a void that will never be filled and always remembered.
We know this grief is shared with others and we extend our deepest condolences to the other families that are grieving along side us in this tragic time.
We would like to take the opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the first responders, police, and emergency services for all their efforts and communication.
We ask for privacy and space as we navigate this devastating time and begin to grieve together as a family. We are deeply moved by the outpouring of support from the community both locally and afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of support and love from all those who knew and loved Olivia as well as those who did not.
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