3 BU Students Killed, 5 Injured In New Zealand Crash
BOSTON (CBS) - Three Boston University students were killed Saturday morning and five others were injured when a van they were traveling in swerved off a road in New Zealand, university officials confirmed Friday night.
According to the school, the students were all part of the study abroad program. The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. Saturday New Zealand time, which was 3:30 p.m. Friday here in Boston.
The New Zealand Herald reports that two men and a woman were killed. One woman was flown to a hospital in critical condition. Two other women suffered moderate injuries and one man and one woman had minor injuries.
The University has not released the names of the students because families have not yet been notified.
"This is a horrible tragedy," says BU President Robert Brown. "Our prayers go out the students and their families. We will do all we can to provide comfort and assistance to those who have been injured, and to the families and friends of the victims. The University is mobilizing all of our resources to help our students and families deal with this tragedy."
Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore called the tragedy a terrible end to a difficult year.
"This is an unusual time on our campus," says Elmore. "We have a lot of people who are traveling and some people who are celebrating the end of final exams. I'd like everyone to please take a moment to pay our respects to the families of those who have been killed. I hope everyone in our community knows that if anyone needs assistance, counseling is available in person and on the phone."
