KSBY has located the identification of the second Cal Poly junior injured aboard a train in Spain last Wednesday via a newly posted GoFundMe site.
Austin Hartman, originally from Bellingham, WA, is a business major. In the family's post, they say he was studying abroad, but was on the train with a friend on a day trip to Seville.
His family posted: “The crash left Austin with severe traumatic injuries, 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. Due to serious complications affecting his circulation and respiratory function, he required mechanical ventilation during the first 24 hours following the crash. He is also dealing with the psychological trauma of this terrifying experience.”
They also state that he is not expected to return to the United States for at least two months, and he still requires multiple surgeries in the future. They’re asking for support to cover living expenses for his family so they can remain with him during this critical time, long-term rehabilitation and physical therapy, as well as mental health support. You can find the link HERE: Austin Hartman’s GoFundMe.
Previously, the aunt of the other student identified the second victim as Leah Silver-Fajardo, who was among those injured.
Cal Poly SLO's spokesperson Matt Lazier confirmed that both students in the study abroad program were injured in the train crash in Spain, which killed at least 69 people and injured about 100 others.
The collision first happened on Wednesday, October 28, after a high-speed train crashed into a stationary train in Udra, Spain. It is about 100 miles south of Madrid.
According to Lazier, the university is in contact with members of the U.S. Embassy and Study Abroad partners in Spain. He also added that the students are receiving medical care. "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," Lazier said.
While Lazier did not identify the students; fundraisers for each student created by their family members confirmed the identities of both students.
The first student identified from Cal Poly was Leah Silver-Fajardo.
Rachel Chernin identified her niece Leah as a victim, and she organized a fundraiser to cover Leah's medical costs and other expenses. Their goal is to raise $110,000. As of Monday, the family has already raised more than $100,000. You can find the link HERE: Leah Silver-Fajardo's GoFundMe.
According to the post, Leah suffered extensive injuries, including a broken knee, a broken pelvis, multiple broken ribs, bruised lungs, scrapes, and burns. She underwent knee surgery and is waiting for surgery to repair her pelvis. Chernin posted an update on Saturday, saying that after doctors moved her out of intensive care, they discovered she also had a broken femur. The same update stated that Leah is having difficulties with pain management, as morphine is causing side effects for her.
Leah is originally from Seattle, Washington, and is studying neuropsychology. She loves to run, hike, and travel. Just weeks before the crash, Leah celebrated her 21st birthday in Florence, Italy, with her loved ones and friends from the study abroad program.
After the accident, Leah's parents, Nicole and Sergio, received a phone call from the embassy, letting them know their daughter was in the train crash. The post says that for a period of time, her parents did not know if she survived or her location. Her friends, who were also studying abroad, visited several hospitals until they found her and told her parents.
Both parents left their jobs and responsibilities to prioritize their daughter's recovery, according to the post. Her sister, Hannah, has also taken time away from her last year of law school.
The name and condition of the other Cal Poly student involved in the crash are unknown.
