Sixth person dies following Mapleton Township crash as investigation continues

A community is in mourning following the deaths of five children killed in a crash. CTV’s Krista Simpson and Jeff Pickel report.

A sixth person has died following a serious two-vehicle collision in Mapleton Township, Ont. on June 12, according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The update comes as families and community members were already gathering to mourn five children killed in the same crash.

Devastating collision at rural intersection

On June 12, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police Wellington County Detachment responded to a collision at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12 involving a passenger van and an SUV.

Police said four of the children inside the van were pronounced dead at the scene. A fifth child was pronounced dead in hospital.

Five other occupants of the van were injured, including an infant, with injuries ranging from serious to minor.

All 10 were from the Atwood area.

The driver of the SUV, a 42-year-old man from Brampton, was transported to hospital following the crash.

Police confirmed Saturday he has since died as a result of his injuries.

Funeral set for five children

A funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. followed by internment in Milverton, Ont. for the five children who were killed in the crash.

They have all been identified as members of the Doersken family.

Peter was 12 years old, Helen was 10, Sara was 8, Maggie was 6 and Susy was 4.

A visitation was held Friday at the Wallenstein Bible Chapel in Wallenstein, Ont.

Investigation ongoing

The investigation is being led by the Wellington County OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

OPP Forensic Identification Services and the Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement team are also assisting.

Appeal for information

Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage from the area to come forward.

Information can be provided directly to OPP or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

With reporting from CTV News Kitchener’s Alexandra Holyk, Jennifer Baker and Shelby Knox