News

Marathon bombing survivor killed in car crash in Dubai

BOSTON — Two Northeastern University students were tragically killed in a car accident in the United Arab Emirates.

One of the victims was Boston Marathon bombing survivor Victoria McGrath, a business administration and accounting student whose legs were injured when she was hit by shrapnel in the April 15, 2013 attacks.

%

INLINE

%

McGrath, 23, and classmate Priscilla Perez Torrez were in Dubai at the time of the crash. The university said the women were on a personal trip, not studying abroad.

Northeastern University released a statement Monday morning:

"Northeastern University has confirmed that two undergraduate students have been tragically killed in a car accident overseas. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Victoria McGrath and Priscilla Perez Torres in this extremely difficult time."

McGrath, originally from Weston, Connecticut, was five feet away from the first bomb when it went off at the race nearly three years ago.

Boston firefighter Jimmy Plourde used a T-shirt to tie a tourniquet on her leg and carried her to a medical tent. Images of the scene became lasting photos of the marathon bombings.

“People come up to me and tell me how terrible this is,” McGrath said at a fundraiser following the 2013 bombings. “And to an extent they are right, but we're only going to get stronger from this -- all of us.”

%

INLINE

%

Plourde released a statement Monday on McGrath's death, saying that his family was "devastated."

Plourde's full statement:


#BostonStrong

Details of the crash that killed McGrath and Torrez are still unclear. A news source in Dubai says the girls were in a two-seater yellow Ferarri with two men. The paper reports the driver of the car was under the influence of alcohol and the car was going 90 miles an hour when it crashed and broke in half.

Friends and family remember Victoria McGrath

“You can see just how fragile life can be, it's sad. I found out this morning," marathon bombing hero Carlos Arredondo said.

Those who knew McGrath took to social media Monday to mourn her death.

Life can change in an instant...we know this only too well. Those who survived the Boston Marathon bombings of April...

Posted by Norden Brothers - Boston Marathon Survivors on Sunday, March 6, 2016

الله يرحمهاThe path of your life can change in an instant...this is so sad.... Victoria McGrath, my student and...

Posted by Rand Ghayad on Sunday, March 6, 2016

Love and light to my fellow#bostonmarathon #survivor Victoria McGrath ...taken by accident from our Marathon family...

Posted by Lynn Julian on Monday, March 7, 2016

each and every one of these people are my heroes<3

Posted by Krystara Brassard on Thursday, October 10, 2013

Mariana and I are heart broken to hear that a beautiful young lady who was one of the Boston Marathon bombing survivors,...

Posted by Anton Spaans on Sunday, March 6, 2016