King's mourns death and injury of students

November 3, 2022 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Update: November 3, 2022 - Additional supports for the King's community

A message from Dr. David Malloy, King's President:

I am reaching out to you today with an update on the tragic news of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 401 that resulted in the deaths of two King’s students and the injury of two other King’s students on Monday, October 31, 2022. At the request of the families, we are not releasing their names at this time. The two injured students are currently in stable condition. 

The King’s community has always looked out for one another, and I ask you to continue to comfort and support the many lives that have been touched by this tragedy. We continue to offer counselling and other services for students, faculty, and staff which I encourage you to access: 

When classes resume on Monday, November 7, we will be offering selected in-class support.  

On Monday, November 7, from 2-4 p.m. and November 8, from 9-11 a.m., Vitali Lounge will be used as a gathering place for members of the King’s community to come together as they need to. Resources, including counselling appointment referrals, will be available.  

The Canadian Mental Health Association will be providing onsite walk-in counselling for students from noon to 8 p.m. on November 8 and November 11. Sign in for these services will be in Wemple 151.

Some of our employees have asked if there is a way to help at this time. For those looking to make a donation, charitable donations are being accepted to a Student Memorial Fund to help support students at King’s. 

We ask the King’s community to continue to join in prayer for those who have died, those who are injured, their families, and for all those impacted by these sudden and tragic losses. 

Original post - November 1, 2022

The King’s community deeply mourns the loss of two King’s international students from China and the injury to two other King’s international students, also from China. The students were in a two-vehicle collision involving a van carrying six people on Monday, October 31, 2022. The collision occurred near Kitchener, Ontario on Highway 401. The OPP are investigating. 

King’s and Western University International have contacted the families of those involved in the collision; we are working closely with them, and the injured students, offering all the support we have at this very difficult time. 

We will share more details as they become available. Out of respect to the families, we cannot release the names of those who died or were injured at this time. Both of those who died were enrolled at King’s this fall in first year social sciences. 

“We grieve the loss of these young lives. This is a great shock and tragedy for King’s and for the wider Western University community. These were people devoted to studying in Canada. We are deeply saddened and our sympathies are for the families and friends of all those who are impacted by this tragedy,” says Dr. David Malloy, King’s President.  “We have lowered our flags and will be doing more in the coming days. We are also working with the Canadian government and embassies to expediate any travel requirements for the families to get here from China as quickly as possible.” 

We are doing all we can to support the injured students in hospital. One student is in serious condition and one student has minor physical injuries.  

As this is Reading Week, the students were travelling by their own plans on a private trip.  

We understand that this news is difficult and will touch many in our community. Counselling services are available for students, faculty and staff: 

Many of these services are also available in other languages including Mandarin. As it is Reading Week and many of our students are not on campus, we will be offering in-class supports next week as well. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support. 

We ask the King’s community to join in prayer for those who have died, those who are injured, their families, and for all those impacted by these sudden and tragic losses.