Vehicle crash in Malawi kills UW student, injures others

One UW–Madison student was killed and several others were injured in a bus-train crash yesterday (July 4) in southern Malawi, Africa, UW officials have announced.

Michele Tracy

Michele Tracy, 24, of Middleton was killed in the crash, which took place near the village of Balaka. Tracy was one of a group of 12 students on a UW Medical School study tour in the central African nation. A faculty advisor and his spouse accompanied the group. The group was in Malawi to study the country’s health-care system and to help develop services for children orphaned by AIDS.

The crash, which occurred at approximately 9 a.m. Malawi time (2 a.m. CDT), took place as the student group was heading for the airport in Lilongwe to return home. They had spent a month in Malawi. The driver of the bus in which the group was riding, who was from Malawi, was also killed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the students and families,” said Senior Associate Dean Susan Skochelak of the UW Medical School. “We know the students had greatly looked forward to this learning experience. How sad to have it happen on the day they were to return home.”

The 13 survivors of the crash were transported to a regional hospital and then airlifted to a trauma center in Johannesburg, South Africa. Six people were admitted to the center and are listed in stable condition. All others were will stay together in a hotel in that city.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this student,” said Dean of Students Mary Rouse. “The group was there in an attempt to learn about and serve the people of another country.

“We are hopeful that those injured will recover quickly and return home soon,” Rouse said.

Families and friends seeking information on Monday may call Rouse at home at (608) 233-6270. Dean of Students staff will hold grieving sessions for faculty, staff, students and friends who know those involved in the accident.

Rouse also said university officials extend sympathy to the family of the driver who died in the crash.