Six young adults who were reported missing early Saturday morning are believed to have died in a single-vehicle crash near Barrie.
The crash happened at McKay Road and County Road 27.
In a series of tweets regarding the missing persons investigation, the Barrie Police Service (BPS) said officers discovered the scene of a fatal collision involving six people at 2am on Sunday.
Missing Persons Update: At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 28, the Barrie Police Department responded to a fatal single motor vehicle collision in the area of McKay Road and County Road 27. 1/4
— Barrie Police (@BarriePolice) August 28, 2022
All of the victims are in their 20s, Barrie Police Communications Coordinator Janet Mace told CTV News.
“The Barrie Police Service extends its sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those involved,” the BPS said in a tweet.
Police have not released the names of the victims, but one of them has been identified as local coach and lacrosse player Luke West.
Jim Lowe, West’s former coach, remembered the 22-year-old, whom he had known since he was seven, as an amazing man and “a great lacrosse player.”
But what was most admirable about West, according to Lowe, was how he returned to the game he loved.
“He volunteered at lacrosse clinics to introduce new players to the game. When he finished his playing career, he immediately got into coaching,” Lowe told CTV News Toronto on Sunday.
West was an assistant coach for the Barrie Bombers U17-2 team this summer.
“This is a 22-year-old guy who gave up his summer to be in sweaty arenas teaching 15- and 16-year-olds how to become better lacrosse players,” Lowe said.
“He just did it because he wanted to give back and became a role model for these young men,” he added.
Luke West, seen in this photo, was among the six killed in a crash in Barrie. (Sent)
That’s why, Lowe said, West’s death will leave a huge hole in the lacrosse community, especially the young players who looked up to him.
“I think there’s actually 17 kids on this team — seventeen young men who lost a role model that I’m sure will play passionately for as they go forward.”
For Lowe, one of his favorite moments in his 20-year career as a sports announcer was West’s first goal in junior lacrosse.
West appeared in six provincial championship finals, winning two of them, one as a player and the other as a coach.
“The game helped him through his life and took him places and gave him memories,” Lowe said.
“Unfortunately, this story ended too soon.”
Lowe said the last time West was on the lacrosse floor, he received a silver medal as a coach.
“Nothing can take away the pain. But knowing that the last time he was on a lacrosse rink, he had metal put around his neck not because of his physical attributes … but because of his leadership and his understanding of the game,” he said.
“And for him to have done both, to have one as a player and then to come that high as a coach in just 22 years, that’s something. It’s a legacy.”
Barry Mayor Jeff Lehman also tweeted his condolences.
A shocking and horrific tragedy takes place, taking the lives of six young men with their entire future ahead of them. As a parent, this is your worst nightmare. The six families in our town who have been devastated this morning need all our compassion and support, Barry.
— Jeff Lehman (@mayor_jeff) August 28, 2022
“It’s just a terrible day. These young people were well known in the community, very active in sports,” Lehmann said in an interview with CP24.
“This is just shocking news. I think it’s reverberating around town right now.”
He is asking the community to show support, compassion and respect for the families affected by the crash.
“Let’s all keep these families at the forefront of our minds right now because they’re dealing with the most horrific circumstance anyone can imagine,” Lehman said.
Barrie Fire Chief Cory Mainprize said it was “such a sad day for our community.”
Later Sunday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to social media to express his condolences to the victims’ families.
“On behalf of all Ontarians, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of these six young people,” the post said.
“We all hold you in our hearts during this time of unspeakable pain.”
On behalf of all Ontarians, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of these six young people. We hold you all in our hearts at this time of unspeakable pain.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) August 28, 2022
County Road 27 is completely closed on both sides of McKay. Barrie Police’s Traffic Unit is on the scene and investigating along with officers from the Investigative Services Unit.
The city of Barrie confirmed late Sunday afternoon that the area where the crash occurred is the site of a city construction project and that the intersection has been closed since the spring.
“The area was a construction site managed by city contractors to provide the design, construction and financing of water, sewer and roadworks along McKay Road and Veterans Road to serve new developments in the area,” said the city manager. Michael Prowse in a statement.
He added that if necessary they would assist in the investigation.
Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact the Barrie Police Department.
– with files from Andrew Brennan
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