A public memorial is being held this evening as the community of Wallaceburg continues to mourn following a tragic crash over the Victoria Day weekend.
The May 21st collision claimed the lives of Shae-Lynn Bachus, Victoria Baertsoen, and Matthew Cousins, and sent Mackenzie Vandroffelaar, Selena Bushey, and an unidentified truck driver to hospital.
Pastor Tim Leferink says tonight’s memorial at Wallaceburg Christian Reformed Church, 150 Bruinsma Avenue, is open to everyone.
“We have a community service, it’s a service of mourning that we will be doing at the Wallaceburg Christian Reformed Church, 7 o’clock in the evening. Everyone is welcome to come, it’s going to be a time of prayer and song and togetherness. We need to be with each other and work through these struggles that we’re (faced) with right now.”
Meantime, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance CEO Lori Marshall says the Wallaceburg hospital is offering additional mental health support services this week.
“We know this really is just such a tragedy and many people are struggling,” Marshall says. “CKHA along with the Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton-Kent branch are offering some additional services this week if anybody thought they needed that.”
The CMHA-LK First Response Team will be providing walk-in services at CMHA-LK Wallaceburg site through Friday.
Marshall says her thoughts also go out to the first responders and hospital staff who cared for the victims in their time of need.
The CMHA-LK Mental Health First Response team is available 24/7 at 1-866-299-7447. To contact a CKHA therapist, call 519-627-9267 for an appointment Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Chatham-Kent Victim Services continues to offer support to those affected by the tragedy. Contact 519-436-6630 or email info@ckvictimservices.com.
P.A.C.E. therapy and counselling services in Wallaceburg is also offering complimentary grief and trauma support. Those in need can call 519-355-9576 or 519-328-4632.
