Kaydance Ford’s death is being mourned by Chesley and the broader Bruce-Grey region as a tragic loss of a young athlete.
A devastating multi-vehicle collision outside London, Ontario, claimed five precious lives on Friday afternoon, May 23, 2025, sending shockwaves through the small southwestern Ontario town of Walkerton.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads, forever altering the fabric of this tight-knit Bruce County community.
The accident unfolded when an SUV carrying a beloved teacher and four teenage athletes collided with a transport truck at the highway intersection.
The force of the initial impact was catastrophic, but the tragedy deepened when a second SUV struck the first vehicle.
The intersection features a two-way stop for vehicles crossing Thorndale Road, though Ontario Provincial Police continue investigating the exact circumstances that led to this heartbreaking collision.
The five occupants of the first SUV—33-year-old Matt Eckert and four teenage girls aged 16 and 17—were returning home from the 27th annual Girls’ High School Invitational Slo-Pitch Tournament in Dorchester, Ontario.
What should have been a celebratory journey home from a sporting event instead became an unimaginable nightmare for families, friends, and the entire Walkerton community.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the damage proved insurmountable.
Two 17-year-old girls and one 16-year-old girl died at the crash site, while Eckert and another 16-year-old girl were transported to a hospital with critical injuries.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, both later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total death toll to five.
The transport truck driver and two occupants of the second SUV sustained minor injuries but survived the collision.
Kaydance Ford’s Death Sparks A Wave Of Grief And Support
Among the four teenage victims who perished in this senseless tragedy was Kaydance Ford, a young athlete whose death has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who knew her.
Kaydance lived in Chesley, Ontario, and attended Walkerton District Community School, where she pursued her education alongside her passion for softball.
Kaydance played for the Tara Twins U18 girls softball team, demonstrating the athletic talent and team spirit that defined her character.
The Tara Twins organization confirmed her identity in a heartfelt Facebook post, describing her as one of their “beautiful athletes” whose loss has left their entire softball family reeling.
The tragedy struck particularly close to home for the organization, knowing that Kaydance died while returning from participating in the very sport that brought her so much joy.
The 16-year-old athlete embodied the supportive and encouraging spirit that her teammates and fellow students remember fondly.
According to her schoolmate Keegan Padfield, Kaydance and her fellow victims consistently showed kindness to everyone around them.
He recalled how supportive they were to younger students, particularly when he started Grade 9, helping everyone improve and feel welcomed in the school sports community.
Kaydance’s death has prompted an overwhelming outpouring of grief and support from across Bruce and Grey counties.
Her family member, Wade Ford, has made touching appeals through social media, hoping to arrange for country singer Owen Riegling—Kaydance’s favorite artist—to perform at her celebration of life ceremony scheduled for July 1st in Elmwood, Ontario.
This request demonstrates her family’s deep love for her memory and their desire to honor her in a way that reflects her personality and interests.
The impact of Kaydance’s death extends far beyond her immediate family and school community.
The Municipality of Brockton lowered flags to half-mast in honor of all five victims, with Mayor Chris Peabody acknowledging that this tragedy has inflicted “an incredibly deep, deep scar” on the community that will take a long time to heal.
The loss has prompted widespread community support initiatives, including a GoFundMe campaign organized to help families cope with unexpected funeral expenses and financial burdens.
Mental health professionals have mobilized to provide support services at Walkerton District Community School, recognizing that Kaydance’s death and the loss of her companions will have lasting effects on students, staff, and the broader community.
The Bluewater District School Board has implemented comprehensive grief counseling and support programs to help everyone process this profound loss.
The ripple effects of Kaydance Ford’s death continue to resonate throughout southwestern Ontario, where neighboring communities, sports organizations, and schools have offered condolences and support.
As investigations into the accident continue, Kaydance Ford’s death stands as a heartbreaking reminder of a young life full of potential that was tragically cut short, leaving behind grieving family members, teammates, classmates, and an entire community struggling to comprehend such an overwhelming loss.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Walkerton residents placed running shoes outside their homes and left porch lights on Saturday night as a show of support for the victims’ families.
- Along with Kaydance Ford and Rowan McLeod (confirmed by the Tara Twins), the other two student victims were identified as Olivia Rourke and Danica Baker.
- The Tara Twins U18 girls softball team was coached by Mike McLeod, who was the father of victim Rowan McLeod, making the tragedy even more devastating for the softball organization.
