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Police responded to 4:30 p.m. crash at , Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release.

An SUV collided with a transport truck, which then collided with another SUV, investigators said.

Two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl in the first SUV died at the scene. The fifth passenger, another 16-year-old girl, was airlifted to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead, officers said.

The driver and passenger of the second SUV, as well as the transport truck driver, sustained minor injuries, police added.

Bluewater District School Board said the fatal collision is a devastating loss for the school and the Walkerton community, located about 180 kilometres northwest of Toronto.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families directly impacted, as they deal with unimaginable grief and sadness through this sudden and heartbreaking loss,” the school board’s statement says.

“At this incredibly difficult time, we are supporting and respecting the privacy of the grieving families. We are unable to provide further details on the incident or identities of the individuals involved,” the statement reads. It also said a tragedy response team and mental health staff and would be supporting the school’s staff and students through a “very painful time” in the days and weeks ahead.

In local Facebook groups, community members expressed their grief and shock about the tragedy, and  to leave a pair of running shoes on front porches with a light on. 

Premier Doug Ford said he was “devastated” to hear about the collision. 

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss,” he wrote .

Paul Calandra, Ontario’s education minister, said he was “deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of four students and a teacher in the crash.”

“My thoughts are with their families, friends, and school community during this difficult time. We are all mourning this terrible loss,” he wrote .

The intersection where the crash occurred was closed for several hours, and the collision is under investigation, the OPP said.

“To the good Samaritans who stopped to provide assistance, thank you,” OPP Const. Ed Sanchuk said in a , adding he extends his “deepest and sincerest condolences” to the family and friends of the deceased.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the police at 1-888-310-1122 or anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

With files from Canadian Press