A GoFundMe campaign has been established for Peter and Elizabeth Bartsch, who were traveling with a family in a van when it collided with an SUV on Friday night north of Kitchener, Ontario, resulting in the deaths of five children from another family.
Youngest Brother Released from Hospital
One of the Ontario family members injured in last Friday's deadly car crash north of Kitchener that claimed the lives of five other children—aged four to 12—has been released from hospital. Family member Nancy Doerksen, organizer of a GoFundMe for family expenses that has now raised over $250,000, provided an update.
“We wanted to share a quick update with everyone who has been keeping our family in their thoughts and prayers,” wrote Doerksen. “Our youngest brother has now been released from the hospital. Thankfully, his injuries were limited to a broken leg, and he is recovering well at home.”
Doerksen also noted that her mother remains hospitalized but is improving. “Our mom continues her recovery journey and is making slow but steady progress,” Doerksen wrote. “She is still awaiting hip surgery and has a long road of healing ahead of her.” Her mother suffered injuries to her kidney, liver, gallbladder, broken ribs, and pelvic bone, along with extensive bruising and trauma.
Second GoFundMe for Bartsch Family
Doerksen mentioned that another GoFundMe has been set up for Peter and Elizabeth Bartsch, who were traveling with her family in the van during the collision. “We would also ask that you continue to keep the Bartsch family in your prayers,” Doerksen said. “They were travelling in the same vehicle and were directly impacted by this tragedy. Mrs. Bartsch remains in the hospital but is stable and continuing her recovery. If you would like to support their family, please consider donating to them as well.”
Started by Wilhelm Peters, the GoFundMe for the Bartsch family states that Elizabeth is in critical condition, with Peter staying by her side at the hospital. “As they face the long road ahead, neither will be able to work for some time, and expenses such as household bills, travel costs, and other unexpected financial burdens will continue to grow,” Peters said on the page.
Crash Investigation Ongoing
West Region OPP continues to investigate the Friday night crash in Mapleton, involving the Bartschs and eight members of the Doerksen family. The deceased were four girls and one boy from the Doerksen family, aged 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Five other relatives, including a toddler, and the SUV's driver were rushed to hospital with various injuries.
The two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Rd. 12 in Mapleton Township—near Conestogo Lake—around 7:30 p.m. on Friday night. “During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a van and an SUV collided at the intersection resulting in multiple occupants from both motor vehicles sustaining serious, life-threatening injuries alongside several fatalities,” Wellington County OPP Const. Matt Burton said in a video posted early Saturday.
OPP Chief Supt. Dwight Thib told a Saturday news conference there were 10 occupants in the van and one person was behind the wheel of the SUV when the crash occurred. The children's parents, grandmother, and a 15-month-old sibling were also in the family van. The mother was critically injured in a Hamilton hospital, while the father was in stable condition at a Listowel hospital. The SUV driver suffered broken legs and was being treated at a Hamilton hospital.
The investigation is ongoing, and no details have been offered as to the cause of the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information, such as dashcam footage, is asked to contact Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
