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3 Columbia University Students Killed In Honduras After Bus Crashes Into Ravine
By
Scott Heins
Published Jan 14, 2016
Modified Jan 14, 2016
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By
Scott Heins
Published Jan 14, 2016
Modified Jan 14, 2016
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Three people were killed and thirty more injured when a bus traveling outside of Tegucigalpa, Honduras careened off the road and into a ravine Wednesday. Barnard College students Daniella Moffson and Olivia Erhardt were killed in the crash, and Columbia University Medical Center nurse practitioner and student Abigail Flanagan also died.
Eight other passengers are in critical condition, according to Columbia Student News. The bus had been transporting volunteer members of the Columbia Global Medical Brigade and was taking the group to an airport, where they were scheduled to fly home.
ABC 7 reports that the bus plummeted at least 260 feet in the crash, and firefighter spokesman Gustavo Barahona said the crash is believed to be the result of mechanical failure.
"This terrible and tragic loss is all the greater because these individuals were dedicating their passion and very special talents to serving those in need," Columbia president Lee Bollinger said in a statement Wednesday night. "No endeavor more proudly exemplifies the traditions and values of our University."
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barnard
columbia university
honduras
Scott Heins
Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.
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