Wellington OPP have reported five fatalities after a two-vehicle collision in Mapleton Township on Friday evening.
Emergency responders were called to the incident at the intersection of Wellington Road 12 and 4th Line, near Conestogo Lake Conservation Area, around 7:30 p.m.
According to police, a van carrying 10 passengers collided with an SUV and its lone occupant at the intersection.
The collision resulted in five children aged four to 12 being pronounced dead. OPP say four adults, one infant, and the driver of the SUV were left with serious injuries.
Three people were airlifted to trauma centres with serious injuries, while several more were taken to local hospitals.
The OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement team were on scene and are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
As a result, the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12 was closed until roughly 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information, such as dashcam footage, that could assist with this ongoing investigation is asked to contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
