School Bus Driver Dies, Four Students Injured in Highway 401 Crash Near London, Ontario

A school trip meant to bring students together for a multi-day outdoor learning experience took a tragic turn on Sunday after a school bus traveling westbound on Highway 401 left the roadway and overturned near London, Ontario. The collision resulted in the death of the bus driver and minor injuries to four students, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The cause of the crash remains under active investigation.

The incident has renewed conversations about school transportation safety across the region, while families, students, and educators reflect on a frightening morning that unfolded far from expectations.

A Sunday Morning Trip Interrupted

The bus was carrying 42 passengers, including Grade 9 students from the Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (KCI), who were en route to Point Pelee National Park for an educational excursion. The group had departed earlier in the morning with two buses scheduled for the trip. Only one was involved in the crash; the second bus was rerouted and returned safely to the school.

According to OPP Const. Steven Duguay, the incident occurred around 9:40 a.m. The bus veered off the westbound lanes, tipped onto its side, and came to rest in a grassy ditch off the highway. Emergency responders were dispatched immediately, and westbound lanes between Veterans Memorial Parkway and Highbury Avenue were closed for several hours to allow police and investigators to work safely at the scene.

The roadway reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m., though the circumstances behind the crash remain unclear.

Driver Pronounced Dead at the Scene

The school bus driver, a 52-year-old man from the Waterloo region, was pronounced dead on-site. Police have confirmed his identity but have not released his name publicly out of respect for the family’s privacy. Const. Duguay told reporters that it is “too early in the investigation” to determine whether the driver experienced a medical issue or whether a mechanical factor contributed to the crash.

“We don’t know if it was mechanical, if it was medical, or what transpired at this time,” Duguay said, emphasizing that investigators will need more time to fully determine what happened.

Four students were taken to hospital with minor injuries. All others were assessed at the scene and transported to a designated reunification centre.

A Rapid Response and Emotional Reunion

Within two hours of the crash, OPP and local officials established a temporary command centre at the East Lions Community Centre in southeast London. The community centre acted as a reunification point where parents could meet their children, receive updates from officials, and speak with school staff and support workers.

Scenes outside the centre reflected both relief and lingering anxiety. Parents embraced their children, many still wearing the clothing they had on during the crash — some muddy, some carrying pillows, backpacks, or personal items that were recovered from the overturned bus.

Students described the event as frightening and disorienting. From inside the community centre, 13-year-old Charlotte Weldon recounted the moment the bus left the roadway.

“Something hit it,” she said. “The whole bus just kept going right, and then it ended up sideways in a ditch. We opened the emergency hatch and everyone was helping people get out.”

Parents echoed the same sense of shock. Linnea Knight, whose twin daughters Maddie and Lily were on the bus, said her family’s morning changed in an instant.

“It was not the morning we expected,” she said. “Maddie was freaking out and everyone was freaking out, and it just sounded loud over the phone. I grabbed my keys and drove as fast as I could.”

The sisters described seeing debris as the bus left the roadway. While the exact sequence is still unclear, they recalled that it felt sudden and confusing — a moment they did not anticipate during what was supposed to be a routine school trip.

What Students Saw on the Highway

Some students told CBC News they believed the bus may have struck a sign before overturning. Police evidence markers were later seen near what appeared to be a damaged temporary construction sign. However, police have not confirmed whether the sign played a role in the crash.

Investigators will examine the bus, the roadway, weather conditions, and any potential medical factors involving the driver. Const. Duguay reiterated that it is premature to draw conclusions.

“We can’t confirm it was a medical episode or not,” he said. “We are still gathering information.”

School Board Responds With Support Measures

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) released a written statement on Sunday, noting that staff members were in direct communication with families and caregivers of the students involved. The board indicated that arrangements were being made to safely transport students and ensure their well-being.

Scott Miller, the WRDSB director of education, confirmed that the second bus on the school trip was rerouted and returned to KCI. The board emphasized that mental-health and guidance supports would be available to students in the days ahead.

“We are coordinating next steps to return these students to be picked up,” the statement read. “Supports will be offered to students in navigating the situation.”

Investigation Continues

The OPP’s collision reconstruction team is conducting a detailed analysis, which includes documenting the scene, examining the bus’s condition, and reviewing any potential environmental or mechanical factors.

Investigators will also speak with students, staff, and other witnesses to understand the sequence of events leading to the bus leaving the westbound lanes.

While medical incidents can sometimes contribute to single-vehicle collisions, Const. Duguay stressed that nothing has been confirmed. Police expect the investigation to take time, given the number of occupants and the need to thoroughly evaluate all possible explanations.

Community Questions and Calls for Safety Review

For many parents, the crash has sparked renewed questions about school trip protocols, emergency procedures, and the condition of buses used for long-distance travel.

“It makes you think about all the things we take for granted,” said Linnea Knight. “We just need to really be looking at the safe ways that we can get our kids to these educational experiences.”

Transportation experts note that school buses have strong safety records overall, and incidents involving fatalities are relatively rare. However, any collision involving children tends to prompt serious reflection from communities and organizations involved in student transport.

School boards across Ontario routinely review safety practices, including driver training, maintenance logs, emergency plans, and weather guidelines for school trips. It is likely that this incident will lead to additional conversations about how these measures function during long highway trips.

A Reminder of the Stakes in Student Transportation

The crash on Highway 401 is a difficult reminder of the responsibility involved in transporting students, especially over long distances and in varying conditions. Education trips are an essential part of learning, offering hands-on experiences that expand classroom lessons. But they also require robust systems to ensure that every journey is as safe as possible.

For the families reunited on Sunday afternoon, the relief of seeing their children safe was accompanied by renewed awareness of the unpredictability of travel — even in circumstances that seem routine.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation unfolds, several key questions remain:

• What caused the bus to leave the roadway?
• Did the vehicle experience a mechanical issue?
• Was the driver suffering a medical emergency before the crash?
• Did external roadway conditions contribute to the collision?

Police will release information as it becomes available, though some findings — such as medical conclusions — may take time.

For now, the focus remains on supporting the students who experienced the incident, assisting the driver’s family during their loss, and ensuring the community has access to resources to process the event.

Conclusion

The school bus crash near London, Ontario, has left a community grieving the loss of a driver while offering gratitude that most of the students escaped with minor injuries. The investigation continues, and families, educators, and officials across the region are looking ahead to safety discussions that will follow.

For the students on board, the experience will remain a vivid memory — one that underscores the importance of quick action, community support, and the resilience young people can show in moments of uncertainty. For parents and teachers, the crash is a moment to reflect on preparedness, transportation standards, and the collective effort needed to keep children safe on every school journey.