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The second Cal Poly student involved in the horrific train crash in Spain that killed dozens has been identified — and he has a tough road to recovery after he endured life-altering injuries.
Austin Hartman, a junior business administration major at Cal Poly, will need multiple surgeries after the crash mutilated his body last week.
Hartman suffered “severe traumatic injuries” in the Udra, Spain, train crash that killed 69 people, “including multiple fractures to his pelvis, hip, femur, humerus, ribs, and lumbar vertebrae, along with other significant orthopedic injuries and extensive lacerations to his face and body,” according to a GoFundMe.
The injuries were severe enough that he required “mechanical ventilation” for the first 24 hours after the crash because of complications to his circulation and respiratory function.
He’s not expected to return to the United States for “at least two months” as he deals with the prospect of multiple surgeries and a long recovery.
Hartman and third-year neuropsychology student Leah Silver-Fajardo were on board when a high-speed train slammed into a static locomotive.
Silver-Fajardo also sustained multiple serious injuries, including fractures to her knee, pelvis, and ribs, along with bruising to her lungs, cuts, and burns, according to another GoFundMe.
Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier confirmed that two students were receiving medical attention and told KSBY 6 that the university is in contact with the US Embassy and Study Abroad partners in Spain.
“The university is in contact with these students’ families to provide support. In addition, Cal Poly is reaching out to its students studying in Spain and across Europe to offer support,” he said.
Both students’ families are fundraising for their medical expenses after the brutal crash.
The collision left at least 68 dead and 80 others injured, and knocked two cars off the track.
A computer failure and apparent human error led to the crash, according to the BBC.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said “the whole of Spain is grieving” for victims of the crash and that “lives have been shattered, families have been torn apart.”
