Blog Post

The American Red Cross is issuing an urgent appeal for blood to meet the current and future needs of the injured in the Los Angeles Metrolink train crash.

When the devastating train crash occurred on September 12th, American Red Cross responded by sending blood supplies and blood products to hospitals and emergency facilities in the Los Angeles area to meet the immediate needs of the dozens of severely injured who were rushed to the hospital.  Severe loss of blood was a common condition after the Metrolink train crash, as many of those injured had severed and partially-severed limbs, and had metal pierced through their bodies.  Excessive bleeding was the reason at least two patients at UCLA almost succumbed to their injuries in the hours after the Metrolink train accident.

Now, the Red Cross is calling for urgent supplies of blood to replace the units that it is sending hospitals treating the injured of the Los Angeles Metrolink train crash. All healthy people aged 17 or above are eligible to donate blood.

Meanwhile, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has said that the state will provide any support necessary to the Los Angeles County emergency response agencies.  He made the statement during a briefing at the Chatsworth Hills Academy in Chatsworth.  The briefing came after the Governor made a brief tour of the Metrolink train accident site.  The Governor was accompanied by Los Angeles Sheriff’s department officials, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  The Governor also expressed his sorrow at the death of Los Angeles Police Department officer Spree Desha who was killed in the Metrolink train crash in Los Angeles.