Six people have died in a car crash in Barrie that took place sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, police say.
In a series of tweets, Barrie police said officers had located a fatal single-vehicle collision at around 2 a.m. in the area of McKay Road and Country Road 27.
Police said the six people found deceased inside the vehicle had been reported missing on Saturday evening.
A missing persons message was posted by police at around 8 p.m. on Saturday evening. It has since been removed, a standard procedure for missing person notifications after the individual has been found.
Officers said four men and two women, all in their early 20s, had been reported missing.
The Saturday evening post by Barrie police identified the missing individuals as 22-year-old Curtis King, 23-year-old River Wells and 22-year old Jason Ono-O’Connor.
It said Luke West, 22, was also missing, along with two women: Jersey Mitchell and Haley Marin.
The Barrie Minor Lacrosse Association said in a Facebook post that West was a member of the Bombers Jr. C Lacrosse Club and had played for most of his life.
“After graduating from Barrie Minor Lacrosse, Luke went on to become a core member of the Jr. C Bombers’ most successful teams,” the post said.
The post said West worked hard to share the sport with others and welcome new people to the game.
“Westy — the impact that you had on your teammates, coaches, and the young men you coached is immeasurable,” the post said. “Few have ever worked harder in Bomber Blue, few can claim to have lifted us so high. We love you, we miss you, and we are grateful for the time that we had with you.”
Police officers said additional details would be released as they became available through the investigation.
Jeff Lehman, Mayor of Barrie, called the crash “a shocking and horrible tragedy.”
“As a parent myself this is the worst nightmare,” he said in a tweet.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also offered his condolences. “We are holding you all in our hearts during this time of unspeakable pain,” he tweeted.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Barrie police.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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