BOSTON, Mass. – A woman who survived the Boston Marathon bombing has died in a car accident in Dubai.
Victoria McGrath, 23, was among the more than 260 people injured when two bombs placed near the finish line of the Boston Marathon exploded in 2013.
McGrath, who was just 20-years-old at the time, was just five feet away from the first bomb when it exploded.
Her leg was severely damaged in the blast. A former U.S. Army officer used a t-shirt as a tourniquet on her leg and Boston firefighter James Plourde carried her to paramedics.
A photo of the act became one of the lasting images from that day.
The pair became friends after that day and continued to stay in touch.
After learning of McGrath’s death, Plourde released the following statement:
“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 families (sic.) 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 4/14/13. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McGrath and Perez Torres Family’s (sic) as they deal with this unimaginable tragedy. #BostonStrong.”
