Two Cal Poly students studying abroad were injured in a train collision in Spain on Oct. 28, according to University Spokesperson Matt Lazier.
The collision occurred when a high-speed train struck another train stopped on the Madrid-Seville train line, killing at least 69 people and injuring more than 200, according to a report from Spain’s Railway Accident Investigation Commission.
Both students were participating in Cal Poly’s CEA CAPA study abroad program.
Cal Poly has been coordinating with U.S. Embassy officials and CEA CAPA representatives following the incident, according to Lazier. The university is also in contact with both injured students’ families and other students studying abroad in Spain and across Europe to offer support.
One of the injured students, neuropsychology junior Leah Silver-Farjado, was studying abroad in Florence, Italy and traveling to Madrid when the collision occurred.
Silver-Farjado sustained a broken knee and pelvis, multiple broken ribs, a fractured femur, bruised lungs and abrasions, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser established by her family.
She has since been moved out of intensive care but remains hospitalized in Madrid. Silver-Farjado has undergone knee surgery and is expected to undergo additional surgery for her pelvic injuries.
The fundraiser aims to help cover her medical expenses, rehabilitation and her family’s living costs while in Spain.
The second injured student, business junior Austin Hartman, was travelling to Seville for a day trip at the time of the collision.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser established by his family, Hartman sustained fractures to his pelvis, hip, femur, ribs and spine, along with facial injuries. He required mechanical ventilation for the first 24 hours following the collision.
Hartman is expected to remain hospitalized in Spain for at least two more months, where he’ll undergo multiple surgeries.
The fundraiser aims to help cover rehabilitation expenses and his family’s living costs while in Spain.