BU campus reeling after students killed in NZ crash

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A Boston University student remains in a coma after a crash in New Zealand that killed three students and injured five others.

A total of 26 students were travelling in three separate vans on a study abroad trip in New Zealand when one of them flipped over.

A candlelight vigil was held on the BU campus Saturday night and a memorial service has been planned for those who died in the crash.

After a year of bad news involving alleged sexual assaults and hazing incidents, came word three BU students died while studying abroad.

“We've had a rough semester here at BU and this is not the happy ending are seniors especially are looking for,” said Brother Larry Whitney, BU Chaplain. “These were three very popular students here at BU very. Very well-known, very committed to the university, the greater Boston community, and very much going to be missed.”

The campus is reeling after news of the students’ death.

“I think the message is live your life to the fullest and try to overcome this tragedy at the end of the semester,” said Ryan Collins, a student.

A friend of junior Austin Brashears organized a candlelight vigil for the victims.

“It's a huge loss for the entire BU community. We’re a very large campus -- we have a lot of students, we have a lot of staff members. But when we were having the vigil on Saturday night it felt very small and very close,” said Katie Matthews, who organized the candlelight vigil.

One student -- 21-year-old Meg Theriault of Salisbury -- remains in critical condition, with a serious head injury in a medically induced coma.

Meg's mother and father arrived at a New Zealand hospital to be with their daughter, and released a statement saying, in part:

"We're here now, and we are supporting our daughter for as long as it takes. She is a fit and stubborn young woman and we know she is getting the best care."