A funeral service for five children from the Doerksen family who died in a tragic two-vehicle crash in rural southern Ontario is scheduled for Saturday, one week after the collision.
Peter, 12, Helena, 10, Sara, 8, Maggie, 6, and Susy, 4, were among 10 occupants in a passenger van that collided with an SUV at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12 in Mapleton Township on June 12. The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m., and investigators continue to examine the circumstances leading up to it.
Family members, friends, and community members will gather at a church near Elmira to honour the children’s lives. The family has expressed gratitude for the support, prayers, and compassion received since the tragedy.
According to police, the van carried eight members of the Doerksen family and two additional passengers, while the SUV had a single occupant. The family’s second-oldest child, Nancy Doerksen, confirmed the deaths of her siblings and launched an online fundraiser that has raised more than $300,000 to assist the family.
Nancy recently shared that her mother, Judit, remains hospitalized but is steadily recovering. Her 15-month-old brother has been discharged with a broken leg, while her father, Cornelius Doerksen Froese, continues to recover from his injuries. One of the other passengers, Elizabeth Bartsch, is still receiving hospital care.
The family has asked for privacy and indicated they will provide a public statement when ready. Meanwhile, Wellington County OPP continues its investigation and is offering support services to witnesses and those who assisted at the scene.