Turangi crash victim wakes from coma

Boston University student Meg Theriault was seriously injured in a crash in New Zealand recently that killed three of her classmates. Photo / AP

A 21-year-old US student has emerged from a coma and spoken to her family for the first time since she was critically injured in a horror crash near Turangi.

Meg Theriault was put in a medically induced coma in Waikato Hospital after receiving life threatening head injuries when the van she was travelling in rolled on May 12.

Daniela Rosanna Lekhno, 20, Roch Jauberty, 21, and Austin Brashears, 21 were killed and four others were injured in the crash.

Hospital staff said Ms Theriault had woken up from her coma and been transferred out of intensive care.

Her first words since the crash were spoken to a hospital nurse who asked her how she was doing earlier today, a hospital statement said.

"Meg said: "I want my mummy." Another staff member said "Good morning" to Meg and she replied "Good morning" back and then went to sleep."

Ms Theriault also told her father she loved him, the hospital said.

Her mother Deb Theriault said waking up and speaking was a huge step forward toward recovery.

"This is so heartening.

"There is still a long journey ahead but today is one of those days we can look back on as being significant."

- HERALD ONLINE