Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Among Two Killed in Crash

By Mike Carraggi and Wendy Ann Mitchell, Patch Staff

Photo of Victoria McGrath courtesy of WHDH, 7-News

BOSTON, MA - A Boston Marathon bombing survivor and her Northeastern University classmate were killed in a car accident in Dubai, according to a statement from the school.

Victoria McGrath severely injured her leg at the Marathon. She became known to many after an image of a firefighter carrying her to safety surfaced online.

Priscilla Perez Torres was also killed in the crash.

Both girls, 23, were set to graduate this year; McGrath from the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and Perez Torres from the College of Science.

"Victoria and Priscilla were vibrant, beloved members of our community, and their passing leaves a grievous absence in our community and in our hearts," Northeastern said in a statement Monday afternoon. "This is a heartbreaking loss to their families, friends, and to all of us in the Northeastern family."

McGrath's story of survival was one of several which showcased the human spirit during the tragedy of the April 2013 bombings.

She was standing just feet away from where the first bomb exploded, sending a large piece of shrapnel into her leg. McGrath was tended to by bystander Bruce Mendelsohn, first responder Alicia Shambo, and firefighter Jim Plourde. Plourde is the man carrying her in the famous photo.

Plourde released a statement Monday:

"My family is devastated with the loss of our dearest friend Victoria McGrath and her roommate Priscilla Perez Torres. After the Boston Marathon Bombing Victoria became 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 4/15/13."

McGrath, a native of Weston, Conn., graduated from Weston High School in 2011 and arrived at Northeastern in 2011, according to her LinkedIn profile. She made the Dean's List every semester, was the Executive Director of the NU Finance and investment Club, a student leader for Math Stars, worked as a volunteer at Peace Through Play and studied abroad in Australia at Swinburne University of Technology.

Perez Torres was from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and "was passionate about travel and working on issues related to nutrition and women’s health," the school said.

According to media reports, Canadian boxer Cody Nixon and his male cousin were also killed in the crash. Nixon had rented a yellow Ferrari and, just hours before the crash, posted an Instagram photo with the Ferrari and the caption, "Just landed into Dubai picked up the Ferrari! Don’t worry I won’t speed ;)"

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