Alexandra Stemp may have only been 8 years old, but she had a terrific sense of humour, was a talented artist, and was both brilliant and vivacious.
This is what the London community is learning about the little girl whose life was suddenly and tragically cut short as she walked with her Girl Guides troop along Riverside Drive on Tuesday night. She was among ten pedestrians who were hit when a vehicle mounted the curb just west of Wonderland Road around 6:45 p.m. London police have said the same vehicle collided with another vehicle stopped at a red light, a light pole, and a tree moments before striking the pedestrians. Alexandra was rushed to hospital where she later died from her injuries.
Her family issued a statement Friday that both pays great tribute to their daughter, but also expresses condolences to the other victims, and thanks the community for its ongoing support.
"Our daughter, Alexandra, was a brilliant and vivacious little girl with a terrific sense of humour. She was a talented artist who loved her older brother with all of her heart. Our family is devastated by the loss of Alexandra in such a tragic circumstance," the Stemp family said.
They went on to state that their hearts go out to the other Girl Guides, volunteers, and parents that are still recovering from the collision.
"There is no doubt that the emotional scars from the events of Tuesday night will take much longer to heal than any physical injuries sustained," said the Stemp family. "Our family feels the love and support of our community. We wish to express our thanks to everyone that assisted at the scene; we commend you for your heroism. We would also like to express our thanks to the police and emergency personnel for their assistance. To the staff of LHSC, you are heroes. Your compassionate care for our daughter and our family will never be forgotten."
They ended their remarks with a request for privacy.
In the days following Tuesday's crash the community has banded together offering support to the family through messages of condolence, flowers and teddy bears placed at the scene, and most recently an online fundraiser.
In less than a day, a GoFundMe campaign for the young girl’s family raised nearly $6,000. That number continued to rise rapidly on Friday morning.
The woman who started it, a mother of a Girl Guide herself, did not initially know the Stemp family but felt she had to do something to help them.
“This is devastating, not only for the family, but for our entire city as it’s not the first family to be split apart by a pedestrian collision this year,” Martha Scott, the organizer of the online fundraiser wrote in her appeal for donations. “Please join me in sending support to this grieving family, especially during this holiday which will be especially tough.”
Some of the donors to the campaign also left messages of condolence for the Stemps.
“My heart goes out to the family who have lost this beautiful soul. I cannot imagine the pain they are experiencing right now. May God rest her angelic soul and give her parents the strength to continue,” wrote one donor.
A 9-year-old girl who also contributed stated “I am also a Girl Guide. And I am so sad to hear that this happened. Sending you love.”
Nine other people, ranging in age from 6 to 40, who were walking in the group were also hurt in the crash and required treatment in hospital.
As a tribute to the victims of the collision, Mayor Ed Holder announced city hall on Dufferin Avenue and other City of London buildings would be illuminated in Girl Guides of Canada blue starting on Friday night and continuing through the weekend.
“The colour blue, specifically a blue candle, is a symbol of friendship and togetherness for Girl Guides around the world. While we pay tribute to the young girl, and grieve with her family, I ask that Londoners also keep those who continue to recover in hospital in their thoughts,” Holder said in a statement.
He also asked Londoners to consider placing a blue light on their porch or hanging something blue in their windows to show their support for everyone involved.
“As I’ve said too often recently, we are not just a city – we are family. Family grieves together. And family heals together,” said Holder.”
London police continue to investigate the collision. The 76-year-old woman who was driving the vehicle involved remained at the scene and there is nothing to indicate this was an intentional act, police said.
At this point, no charges have been laid.