Boston Marathon bombing survivor killed in car crash in Dubai


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

>> Read more trending stories

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.

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."

>>Victoria McGrath's parents release statement to remember their daughter

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 onto 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 after the bombings. “And to an extent they are right, but we're only going to get stronger from this -- all of us.”

Plourde released a statement Monday on McGrath's death, saying that his family is "devastated."
"My family is devastated with the loss of our dearest friend Victoria McGrath and her roommate Priscilla Perez Torres," he said. "After the Boston Marathon bombing, Victoria become a major part of my life as well as my family's. It's been said that I helped to save her life, but the truth is, Victoria saved my life after the marathon, as her love, support and friendship helped myself and my family deal with the acts of April 15, 2013. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McGrath and Perez Torres families as they deal with this unimaginable tragedy."

Details of the crash that killed McGrath and Torrez are still unclear.

Those who knew McGrath took to social media 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 fellowBoston Marathon attack survivor,Victoria McGrath, taken by accident from our Marathon...

Posted by Lynn Julian on Monday, March 7, 2016

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

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

Posted by Krystara Brassard on Thursday, October 10, 2013