The devastating discovery unfolded as Patel was found deceased in his home due to carbon monoxide poisoning, believed to be caused by a car left running in the garage. The car had been running overnight, leading to the buildup of carbon monoxide. The six other occupants of the home, all young people from the same region in India, were taken to the hospital but are reported to be in good condition. The incident highlights the absence of working carbon monoxide alarms in the residence.

In response to the tragedy, the Patel family set up a GoFundMe page with an initial goal of $20,000 to assist in bringing Nil Patel back to India. The overwhelming support from the community quickly exceeded the goal, reaching around $35,000. The family expressed gratitude for the generosity and updated the page to inform donors that the funds raised were sufficient to cover expenses and send Nil Patel back to India for his final rites.

A viewing is scheduled for Friday night in Toronto, allowing friends to bid their final farewells before Nil Patel’s body is flown back to India on Sunday. The family thanked the community for their support, expressing eternal gratitude and requesting blessings and prayers during this difficult time.

Acknowledging her unique circumstances as a 28-year-old mayor, Salonen highlights the broader challenge faced by young professionals in the region, especially those grappling with university debt. For Salonen, her student loans, a remnant from her graduation from England’s University of Oxford in 2019, contribute to the unattainable real estate prices in the area.

The Wilmot Township, located just outside Kitchener-Waterloo and home to around 22,000 residents, has seen the average home selling for a staggering $916,167 last month, as reported by the Waterloo Region Association of Realtors. This pricing, combined with other financial pressures, has made homeownership out of reach for many young people, including Salonen’s friends in their late 20s.

Salonen’s situation has made her realize that she’s the only mayor among her regional colleagues who doesn’t own a home, bringing her face to face with the challenges many residents are facing.

Local realtor Shawn Ramautor of Royal LePage Wolle Realty weighs in, stating that this housing market situation, unfortunately, is becoming more common, especially for first-time homebuyers. The entry barriers are significant, leading some young adults to move back in with their parents to save up for their own homes. Multi-generational families are increasingly sharing homes due to these obstacles.

Salonen supports a recent announcement to build 10,000 affordable and attainable homes in the region by 2030, although she acknowledges that this initiative may not specifically target young professionals with similar wages to hers. She hopes that municipal leaders will collaborate to create more opportunities for this demographic.

Despite the challenges, Salonen sees a silver lining. Her personal housing struggle has given her a deeper understanding of the people she represents, allowing her to relate to their difficulties in ways she hadn’t imagined before. This connection could be a driving force for positive change in addressing the housing crisis faced by many in the region.

Originally from Owen Sound, Tyson was an integral part of the Waterloo Siskins hockey team, where he played as a defenceman. Off the ice, he found a loving second family with the Boissonneaults, who acted as his billet. The close bond they shared made an indelible impact on each other’s lives.

Eric Boissonneault, the head of the billet family, expressed his profound grief, saying, “We don’t even know why, the doctors don’t even know why, we just got cheated.” Tyson had a profound effect on the Boissonneault family, and they cherished every moment they spent together. Eric spoke of his wish for his own son, Nate, to grow up with the same remarkable qualities as Tyson.

The news of Tyson’s unexpected passing sent shockwaves through the KW Siskins hockey team. Coach Rick Chapman described it as a moment of disbelief, as Tyson’s presence and infectious smile had a significant impact on everyone around him. Chapman was so moved by Tyson’s influence that he decided to name his new pup after the passionate young athlete.

As the tragic news circulated online, an outpouring of support and condolences flooded in, reflecting the widespread affection and admiration for Tyson. His player profile highlighted his impressive skills, having played 45 games last season, scoring six goals and contributing 17 assists. He continued to excel during the 2023 Sutherland Cup Playoffs, netting three goals and assisting in 15 others.

To honor their beloved Tyson, the Boissonneaults have decided to continue their Friday lunch tradition at his favorite restaurant in Waterloo. They will always leave a spot at the table for him, cherishing the memories they shared.

The Downs family is extending an invitation to the community to join them in honoring Tyson during a funeral service to be held on Sunday, July 30, at 3 p.m. The service will take place at the Bayshore Community Centre – Rutherford Hall, with a reception following the ceremony.

In a heartfelt gesture, the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, mourners donate to any minor sports association in Owen Sound or a charity of their choice in Tyson’s honor. His legacy as a talented athlete and a cherished individual will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

More information can be found here.

As a result of the accident, seven individuals were transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Among the injured, one person required urgent care and was airlifted to an out-of-region hospital by air ambulance. The remaining six victims, including a young boy, were taken by conventional means to local medical facilities. Fortunately, despite the seriousness of the injuries, none of them are believed to be life-threatening.

The vehicles involved in the crash were a minivan carrying three occupants and a second vehicle carrying four occupants. Additionally, a dog was also involved in the accident. The authorities promptly arranged for the dog to be taken to a local shelter, where it was confirmed not to have suffered any injuries.

Waterloo Regional Police Sergeant Byron Harding stated that the road at the accident site has been closed, and it is expected to remain so until around seven or eight o’clock in the evening. The police have dispatched their Reconstruction, Forensics, and Collision Investigation Unit to the scene to conduct a thorough examination and gather evidence to determine the exact cause of the collision.

While initial reports do not indicate speed or impairment as contributing factors to the crash, investigators are closely examining whether the stop sign on Manser Road was adhered to. The investigation into the incident and its impact is ongoing.

Sgt. Harding emphasized the need for caution and responsible driving, especially at intersections, regardless of favorable road conditions. He urged any witnesses to come forward and assist in the investigation, urging them to contact the police’s traffic service.

Charges related to the crash are still pending, and authorities will assess the necessity of laying charges at a later date once the investigation is complete. As the community comes to terms with this tragic event, authorities are encouraging drivers to exercise vigilance, adhere to traffic rules, and drive safely to prevent such accidents in the future.

COLLISION INVESTIGATION:

On scene of a collision at the intersection of Manser Road and Streicher Line in Wellesley Township.

Manser Road and Streicher Line is closed in both directions. Expect delays in the area.

More information to be provide when available. pic.twitter.com/LB4TTxauN6

— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) July 27, 2023

While there is no estimated time for the road to reopen, officials stated that the closure will remain in effect until the derailed cars are repaired and restored to the tracks. Fortunately, no hazardous material was involved, and there is no risk to public safety.

Motorists should expect increased traffic in the area while the closure remains in effect. The township is collaborating with neighboring municipalities to address the situation, and detour signs have been set up to guide drivers.

The extent of the damage caused by the derailment will not be fully known until the rail cars are removed from the immediate area.

CP Rail continues to arrive on scene, which includes specialized trains using the train tracks that travel through North Dumfries. Equipment is also arriving by trucks.

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— Township of North Dumfries (@northdumfries) July 22, 2023

In a statement emailed to CTV News, CPKC confirmed that the derailment occurred around 6:30 a.m. and involved 15 rail cars carrying vehicles and intermodal shipping containers. The rail company assured that no dangerous goods were involved, and there is no threat to the environment or public safety.

CPKC teams and equipment are at the scene, starting the process of removing the derailed cars. The cause of the derailment is currently under investigation.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has been informed about the incident. According to an emailed statement to CTV News from the TSB, a westward train was entering the Wolverton yard near Ayr when three loaded automotive flat cars derailed at Mile 70 of the Galt Subdivision. One car derailed upright, another is leaning, and a third car is on its side. The TSB is coordinating with the railway company to gather more information but has not deployed investigators to the occurrence site at this time.

“It’s a very pungent odor,” remarked Susan Fielding, a resident near Highway 401, describing the two-week ordeal of enduring the offensive scent. “It has a rotten vegetable-type smell,” she added.

To mitigate any risks, Fielding and her family have refrained from consuming the water, and many neighbors are similarly cautious when it comes to showering. Fielding estimates that around 25 households in the area have been affected, based on her conversations with neighbors and posts she has seen online.

“The issue spans approximately 500 meters down Highway 6 on both the east and west sides,” Fielding revealed.

The concerns extend beyond the foul odor; safety is a paramount worry for residents. Given the rural nature of the area, where most homes rely on well and septic systems, residents bear the responsibility of ensuring their water is clean.

Fielding, who serves as the Puslinch representative on the board of the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA), emphasized the profound impact of water quality on people’s lives. She referenced the Walkerton water crisis over two decades ago, when E. coli contamination resulted in severe health consequences.

“Water is life. So it’s really hard to function and run your home if you don’t have decent water,” Fielding asserted.

The Township of Puslinch responded to the issue in an email, stating that it is likely a matter for the Public Health Unit and potentially the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). The township is currently informing affected residents and providing them with contact information for the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health and the MECP – Guelph District Office.

However, when contacted by CTV News, the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health stated that the matter was not within their purview and advised reaching out to the municipality.

While residents await clarification regarding the cause of the issue and any potential health risks, local water bottling company Blue Triton has stepped in to provide some relief. They generously donated pallets of bottled water to affected residents and arranged for a well specialist to conduct thorough testing at homes experiencing the foul-smelling water.