Cal Poly student Austin Hartman faces multiple surgeries after Spain train crash

Austin Hartman, a junior business administration major at California Polytechnic State University, will undergo several surgeries to treat injuries sustained in a high-speed train collision in Spain. The crash occurred last week in Udra, killing 69 people. Hartman’s recovery is expected to be long and complicated, with doctors indicating he will not return to the United States for at least two months.

Medical records shared via a GoFundMe campaign detail the extent of his trauma. Hartman suffered severe fractures to his pelvis, hip, femur, humerus, ribs, and lumbar vertebrae. He also sustained extensive lacerations to his face and body. For the first 24 hours following the accident, he required mechanical ventilation due to complications affecting his circulation and respiratory function.

Hartman was traveling with Leah Silver-Fajardo, a third-year neuropsychology student, when a moving high-speed train struck a stationary locomotive. Silver-Fajardo also sustained serious injuries, including broken bones in her knee, pelvis, and ribs. Her medical records list bruised lungs, cuts, and burns. Both students were part of a Study Abroad program when the collision knocked two cars off the track.

Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier confirmed that the university is coordinating with the US Embassy and local partners to assist the students. Lazier stated that the university is in direct contact with both families to provide support. He added that Cal Poly is also reaching out to other students in Spain and across Europe to offer resources.

The collision resulted in at least 68 fatalities and 80 injuries, according to official counts. Investigators have pointed to a computer failure and apparent human error as causes of the disaster. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the national grief, noting that lives have been shattered and families torn apart.

The families of both injured students have launched fundraising campaigns to cover medical expenses. Hartman’s father described the recovery process as grueling, emphasizing the need for financial support to manage the costs of multiple hospital stays and surgeries. The students remain in Spain for treatment, with no confirmed date for their return to the US beyond the two-month estimate.