Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock and many others are offering their condolences after five people died in a crash on Hwy. 60 over the weekend.
It happened around 11:10 p.m. on Nov. 25 near Hidden Valley Rd.
“On behalf of Huntsville council, we send our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones,” wrote Alcock. “Our thoughts are with them during this time. We grieve this loss of life and, as a community, we will come together to support those affected.”
One of the victims was a 42-year-old from Huntsville who has been identified as Jessica Ward.
In a post on social, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare shared she worked for them as an accounting clerk.
“Jessica […] is fondly remembered by many for her kind heart, infectious laugh and vibrant joie de vivre,” the post reads. “She would light up with stories about her children and their dog. Jessica always brought a smile to the room with her quick wit and dry sense of humour. She will be remembered and missed by many on our team and we share our heartfelt sympathies to her family and friends at this difficult time.”
A fundraiser has been started by Jenna Robinson, a family member of Ward’s. She says Ward leaves behind her 17-year-old and 14-year-old children. The fundraiser has already brought in over $20,000 to support Ward’s children.
The other victims were from the North York and Richmond Hill areas and were between the ages of 15 and 17 years old. The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto has since identified the four as Chinese students.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon added his condolences to those affected.
“I wish to express my deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the terrible car accident on Highway 60 [Saturday].”
District Chair Jeff Lehman called the news “heartbreaking.”
“Awful news,” he said in a post on social media. “So many young lives cut short.”
