Message From Boston University President About Tragedy in New Zealand
To Members of the Boston University Community:
As most among you will have heard by now, our community has experienced a dreadful tragedy. Yesterday evening we learned that three of our students were killed in a motor vehicle accident near Auckland, New Zealand. A fourth suffered very serious, life-threatening injuries. Four other Boston University students were injured in the same accident and were hospitalized. All of the students killed or injured in the accident were participants in our study abroad program. The students who have lost their lives are Austin Brashears (ENG ’13), Roch Jauberty (CAS ’14), and Daniela Lekhno (SMG, ’13). Margaret Theriault (SMG ’13) was seriously injured and transported from the crash site to a hospital in Taupo, New Zealand. Others injured in the accident are: Stephen Houseman (SHA ’13), Alys McAlpine (SMG ’13), Emily Melton (CAS ’15), and Katherine Moldawer (CAS ’12). Some students have been treated for injuries and released from hospital.
We are deeply saddened at the loss of three students. We are deeply concerned about the reports of very serious injuries to another. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of the three young people who have lost their lives. We are also holding the injured students close in our thoughts and prayers. Boston University students have organized a vigil that will take place at 8 PM tonight at Marsh Plaza. All community members are welcome to join this vigil.
We are still learning details about the accident. We know that the students were riding in an eight-passenger van that they apparently had rented for an excursion. The accident was a single vehicle rollover that took place early in the day. BUToday is covering the story; please see the BU Today article, which will be updated as we learn more.
We are working closely with the US Consulate in Auckland and receiving updates on the condition of injured students The US Vice Consul has notified next of kin. Boston University officials including the Provost, staff from Global Programs, the Office of the Dean of Students, Marsh Chapel, and my office are working closely on all that a tragedy of this scale entails.
We will provide counseling support for students who are still on campus this week. Counseling is available from Marsh Chapel chaplains and Student Health Services. Chaplains can be reached at 617-353-3560. SHS counselors can be reached at 617-353-3575. A 24-hour counseling hotline is available at 617-353-3569. Our partner institutions in Auckland have reached out to provide support on site in New Zealand and we are very grateful for their solicitude and sympathy.
As we move forward, we will learn all we can from this tragedy so that we take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of our students.
With deep sadness,
Robert A. Brown
President