The three young people killed when a van rolled south of Lake Taupo on Saturday have been identified as American students from Boston University.
Up to eight people were in the van when it crashed at Otukou on Lake Rotoaira Road, or State Highway 46, between Rangipo and Tongariro, about 7.30am, police said.
The group was en route to walk the Tongariro Crossing.
All but one of the students in the van was involved in an exchange program to Auckland.
Police say the families of those involved in the crash have now been notified.
The three students who died at the scene have been named as Daniela Rosanna Lekhno, Roch Jauberty and Austin Brashears.
A 21-year-old woman, who wasn't involved in the exchange program but is a Boston University student, remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital.
Two women, aged 20 and 21, remain in Rotorua Hospital in a stable condition.
Two 20-year-olds, a man and a woman, were treated at Taupo Hospital and discharged.
A scene examination has indicated the van drifted to the left into gravel and over-corrected, causing it to roll.
Some of the victims were thrown from the van, suggesting they may not have been wearing seatbelts, police said.
The van was one of two travelling together.
The group in the other vehicle was also from Boston University, except for one man from another American university.
They have been left traumatised by the accident and are being supported by police, Victim Support and the coordinators of the exchange program.
The students were studying various academic subjects, and as part of the exchange program they spend two semesters overseas.
发表于 2012-5-12 23:51:44
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