Highway 104 crash near Port Hawkesbury kills 3 people

A four-vehicle crash on Highway 104 near PortHawkesbury, N.S.,has claimed the lives of three people, including two junior high students and a teacher at the Strait Regional School Board.

A 26-year-oldwoman from Louisdaledied at the scenealong with her back-seat passenger, a 12-year-old girl also from Louisdale, RCMP say.

A 13-year-old girl from Mexico in the same vehicle was rushed to Strait RichmondHospital. She was to be airlifted to Halifaxbut died before leaving.

There were no other serious injuries in the crash.

RCMP Const. Mark Skinner said police were called to the scene near PortMalcolmaround 12:41 p.m.

Traffic wasbeing diverted onto Highway 4 at exits 43 and 44. Skinner said the highway will likely remain closed until at least midnight.

"It will take time for that collision to be analyzed and for the investigation to continue, so it needs to be shut down for at least the next 10hours," Skinner said.

'Sincere and deepest sympathies'

The Strait Regional School Board issued a statement confirming that the two youth were junior high students at Richmond Education Centre/Academy. Thethird victim was a teacher at Felix Marchand Education Centre.

"We extend our most sincere and deepest sympathies to the families and friends as well as the school communities of Richmond Education Centre/Academy and FelixMarchandEducation Centre as they deal with such a significant loss," writesDeannaGillis, communications co-ordinator for the school board.

"This evening, members of our crisis response teams are meeting to finalize a plan to support the students, staff, families and school communitiestomorrowand during the coming days."

Counsellingservices will be provided by administration, guidance staff, psychologists and former staff members.

"It is important to provide youth with the chance to talk about their feelings, concerns and respond to their questions so this will be the focus of our support in the coming days."

'Completely focused on supporting our students'

School board superintendent Ford Rice says there are already plans in place for Wednesday.

"We'll start off the day in both school with a home room session and then, as well, during the day, should either students or teachers require additional support, there'll be a private area in the schools that they can go to receive that support that they need," he said.

Rice says the board mayrevisit the ways students travel to school events.

"The Strait Regional School Boardhas done a significant amount of work in terms of student travel in the last couple of years. But these are questions and concerns for later dates and at this time, we're completely focused on supporting our students, our families, our staff, during this very difficult time," he said.

Here's a map of the road closure: