'We're just so fortunate that he's still with us': Parents of LRT crash victim speak out
A 16-year-old remains in hospital after a collision with an LRT train in front of a Kitchener high school.
The family spoke to CTV News Kitchener on Saturday for the first time about the ordeal and their son’s path ahead.
At around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, as students left Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, a teen was struck and trapped underneath an LRT train.
Melissa Irwin says her 16-year-old son Keelan Zondervan is now off life support and recovering at Hamilton General Hospital following the crash but still has a long road ahead of him.
“He’s still in so much pain,” said Irwin. “We’re just so fortunate that he’s still with us. He can give you the thumbs up and let you know if he’s in pain. Speaking is very, very rare for him right now, mostly because he’s constantly sleeping and trying to heal.”
Firefighters lifted the train to extricate Keelan before he was airlifted to hospital with what officials described as life-threatening injuries.
“I couldn’t have asked for better people to be taking care of my son,” said Irwin.
Irwin describes the moments after the crash as a blur.
“I’m not even 100 per cent sure how I got there. I know I drove, but I was more in shock than anything.”
Irwin says she and her husband are now taking extended time off work to care for their son and have launched a fundraiser to help.
“There’s been such an amazing outpour of support from people that we don’t necessarily even know, but we will be forever in their debt,” she said. “Our lives are just filled with amazing people right now. I mean, the hospital staff everybody has been beyond amazing to us.”
Irwin says their family is thankful for the support and hopeful for their son’s future.
“We just tell him how strong he is and how brave he is and, you know, how lucky he is.”
Waterloo Regional Police says there is no update in the ongoing investigation. Police stress supports are available to those who witnessed the crash.
Cameron Heights cancelled tests and exams while also offering supports in the aftermath of Wednesday’s crash.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The best that we can be': Indigenous judge and TRC chair Murray Sinclair dies at 73
Murray Sinclair, who was born when Indigenous people did not yet have the right to vote, grew up to become one of the most decorated and influential people to work in Indigenous justice and advocacy.
India's Modi, Canada's Trudeau condemn violence at Hindu temple near Toronto
The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Frustration over Mideast war in America's largest Arab-majority city may push some away from Democrats
As an ongoing part of Omar on the Road: America Decides 2024, CTV National News visited the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus to talk to Arab-American students about why they’re feeling left out of the Democrats’ tent.
3 people arrested after incident during protest at Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont.: Peel police
Peel Regional Police say three people are in custody as they continue to investigate an incident during a demonstration at a Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday.
Judge rules against Alberta casino, dinner theatre operator
An application to stay a receivership order of Mayfield Investments Ltd., a company that owns multiple businesses in Alberta including the Camrose Resort and Casino, Medicine Hat Lodge and Calgary's Stage West Dinner Theatre, has been denied by the court.
'Giving women agency over their health': How innovative solutions are filling the gaps in Canadian menopause care
In a 2022 survey conducted by Leger Canada for the Menopause Foundation of Canada, about 46 per cent of women said they don't feel prepared for menopause, even though they know it's coming. At a time when tech-savvy millennials are starting their menopausal journeys, some tech entrepreneurs are stepping up with potential solutions to long-standing health-care deficiencies.
Ikea will pay 6 million euros to East German prisoners forced to build their furniture in landmark move
Furniture giant Ikea has agreed to pay 6 million euros (US$6.5 million) towards a government fund compensating victims of forced labour under Germany's communist dictatorship, in a move campaigners hope will pressure other companies to follow.
Police arrest Netanyahu aide as opponents accuse him of leaking intelligence to thwart Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
Israeli police have arrested a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegedly leaking classified information to foreign media.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
