Ontario's police watchdog is appealing for witnesses one week after a collision involving a school bus and a commercial vehicle sent several children to the hospital. The crash occurred on April 16, 2026, on Highway 11 at Line 15 in Oro-Medonte, Ont., approximately 100 kilometers north of Toronto.
Investigation Ongoing
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has taken over the case, as is standard when police are involved in incidents resulting in serious injury. The SIU is urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to come forward. The agency has not yet released details on the number of children injured or the severity of their injuries, but confirmed that several were transported to hospital.
Details of the Crash
The collision involved a commercial vehicle and a school bus carrying students. Emergency services responded to the scene on Highway 11, a major arterial route in the region. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The SIU has deployed investigators to the area to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
Public Appeal
In a statement, the SIU said: "We are asking anyone who may have information about this incident, including those who may have been in the area at the time, to contact our investigators." The agency is particularly interested in speaking with individuals who may have recorded the crash on their vehicle dashcams or cellphones.
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates incidents involving police officers that result in death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. In this case, the involvement of police has not been specified, but the SIU's mandate covers any such incident.
Community Impact
The crash has shaken the local community in Oro-Medonte, a township in Simcoe County. Parents and school officials have expressed concern for the children involved. The school board has not released a statement, but local authorities have assured the public that they are cooperating fully with the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the SIU at 1-800-787-8529 or through their website. The investigation is ongoing.
