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.
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.
. 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."
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.