Lucy Hill: Queues outside Thai hospital after Facebook appeal to save Manchester graduate's life
Lucy Hill's friend turned to social media to appeal for blood donations that could save her life
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Dozens of blood donors have been queuing outside a Thai hospital after an appeal to save the life of a British student who was hit by a car.
A social media campaign was launched after gap-year tourist Lucy Hill, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was badly injured while riding on a moped.
Friend and travelling partner Lauren Hall wrote a post on Facebook urging anyone travelling in Thailand to donate blood - prompting a line of people outside Rajavej hospital in Chiang Mai.
The 21-year-old suffered a broken pelvis and a brain haemorrhage.
Lucy’s rare A-negative blood type meant the hospital did not have the resources to save her life, since doctors say less than one per cent of Thai people have negative blood types – making it very difficult to source.
Lauren appealed to any travellers in Chiang Mai unsure of their blood type to get tested in case they may be able to donate blood for transfusions.
She said: “I understand it is your holiday but this is my friend. It doesn’t take long and it will do a great thing. My friend wore a helmet and did nothing wrong."
Lucy’s father Phil Hill told Manchester Evening News that dozens had been queuing up outside the hospital since 6am, two and a half hours before it opened.
Six units of compatible blood had already been donated this morning.
There has also been a fundraising page set up to help pay Lucy’s family to fly out and be with her, and to get her home as soon as possible - raising almost £2,000 so far.
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