Echo staff

Three members of Haliburton Highlands Secondary School were involved in a serious car accident on Thursday Feb. 25.

“One teacher and two students were injured on their way to an OFSAA Nordic ski competition in Collingwood yesterday” Catherine Shedden communications manager of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board confirmed in an email to the Echo.

The students have minor injuries and the teacher Jennifer Paton was seriously injured and is in hospital.

The school board is not releasing the names of the students as they don’t have permission from the families at this time.

“Counsellors are at the school to assist in sharing this information and offering support to staff and students” Shedden said on Friday.

“We are all hoping for a quick recovery for all involved.”

In a text message Jennifer’s husband Blake Paton said “although her injuries were life threatening she is progressing well and is expected to recover from them.”

“We’re pleased that there seems to be no significant spinal cord damage. It will be a long recovery.

There has been a great outpouring of support from the community and for that we’re very grateful” he said. “Jen can’t take advantage of the many offers to help yet but in time she will be able to.”