TAUPO, New Zealand — Three Boston University students were killed and five classmates were injured Saturday when their van crashed in New Zealand, where the group is studying abroad.
The students’ van left the road and crashed near Taupo on the country’s North Island about 7:30 a.m. Saturday local time, the Boston Globe reported.
Authorities told the New Zealand Herald that it appeared the vehicle had drifted off the road onto gravel before over-correcting, forcing it to roll, throwing several passengers clear.
Two men and a woman were pronounced dead at the scene. One female survivor is in critical condition in Waikato Hospital, two females aged in their 20s are being treated for moderate injuries in Rotarua Hospital and Taupo Hospital is treating a man and woman, both in their 20s, for minor injuries.
The students have not been identified. A police spokesman said, “Our priority is ensuring the families of the students are contacted as soon as possible and the welfare of the other students from both vehicles is catered for.”
It is believed they were traveling behind a second van full of students.
“This is a horrible tragedy,” Boston University president Robert Brown said. “Our prayers go out to 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.”