A Seattle Pacific University freshman was among the four victims killed in a crane collapse in South Lake Union on Saturday afternoon.
SPU sent an email to students early Sunday morning identifying Sarah Wong as one of the deceased. Wong was in a car on Mercer Street during the time of the accident.
"We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our students passed away in the crane accident in Seattle on April 27. Sarah Wong was in a car on Mercer Street when the crane fell. She was a freshman with an intended major in nursing and lived on campus. While we grieve the sudden and tragic loss of our precious student, we draw comfort from each other, our strong community of faith, and God's presence with us in times of sorrow. We ask that the community join us in praying for Sarah's family and friends during this difficult time."
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"Sarah was an amazing young woman and we're going to miss her dearly," said Charles Strawn, dean of Students for Community Life.
He spoke on Seattle Pacific University campus that seems a world away from Mercer Street where the crane fell to the ground. But this is where Wong and a fellow student were Saturday, in a car.
The dean said he did not know where they were going. "We just know that they were downtown," he said.
Wong died at the scene, and her friend who was also in the vehicle, emerged unscathed. Strawn says Wong made an impact in her short time at SPU.
"She was really involved with her Pacific Islanders community on campus," said Dean Strawn. "In fact, just a week or so ago they had a major event and she was not only performing but also doing all this stuff behind the scenes. Just a real amazing young woman. We were lucky to have her with us."
What happened in downtown Seattle being felt here.
"It's very bizarre for something like that to happen," said Meg Rouse, an SPU freshman. "Because I feel like we have so many cranes in Seattle; and like kind of scared to drive around especially knowing that someone like from my school passed away."
The dean says Sarah Wong's family has arrived from South Pasadena, California, where she grew up.
They are working with the family to figure out how they want to honor her.