New Zealand crash survivor returns to Massachusetts

BOSTON (WHDH) -- One month after surviving a deadly van crash in New Zealand, Boston University student Meg Theriault returned to Massachusetts to continue her recovery.

Theriault's plane touched down early Thursday morning at Logan Airport, just days after she was brought out of a medically-induced coma.

She was seriously hurt in the crash that took the lives of three fellow BU students. Four others were injured.

The students were heading to a hiking spot when the van rolled over May 12.

Though she has a long road to recovery ahead of her, Meg is already talking about going back to New Zealand one day, which has her aunt, Jane Felton, thinking about one thing.

"I just told my sister that if Meg goes back there, I’m going with her because if she can do that trek, I’m going to do the trek," she said.

Meg left New Zealand on the same day fellow classmate Stephen Houseman, 20, pleaded guilty to seven charges of careless driving. He was released but was ordered not to drive in New Zealand for six months.

Despite all that has happened, Meg's relatives are looking forward to having the chance to spend time with her once again.

"They're relieved they’re going to be around with family and family can be there close to them, friends can be there close to them and I that makes all the difference," Felton said.

Meg’s family says the student hopes to return to Boston University to continue her studies and also hopes to return to New Zealand so she can personally thank everyone who helped her.