North Yorkshire accident survivor backs urgent NHS blood donation appeal
Lucie Maguire credits O negative blood donors with saving her life
Last updated 8th Dec 2025
A North Yorkshire woman who survived a life-threatening accident and multiple injuries is urging people to step forward as blood donors, supporting NHS efforts to boost supplies of vital blood types.
Lucie Maguire, 24, was severely injured in January 2021 after being hit by a tractor while helping her mother whose car had broken down near Harrogate. Lucie was dragged along the road beneath the vehicle's 10-tonne trailer, sustaining multiple injuries including a severed artery in her pelvis, shattered pelvis, internal injuries, and a broken back.
Paramedics transfused six units of O negative blood at the roadside, stabilising Lucie and saving her life before she was transported to hospital. Upon arrival, she received another six units before being placed in an induced coma.
O negative blood, known as the universal type, can be given in emergencies when a person's blood type is unknown and is crucial in saving lives during trauma incidents like Lucie’s.
Lucie's recovery inspires call for donations
Lucie spent 18 months at Leeds General Infirmary, undergoing multiple surgeries, including an amputation, and requiring additional blood transfusions during her treatment.
Now living independently with the help of a carer and a power-assisted wheelchair, Lucie reflects on the importance of blood donors and how they were vital at every stage of her recovery.
"I needed blood during my amputation surgery, skin graft and other operations. There were times I'd be feeling unwell on the ward because of low haemoglobin, and I'd need a transfusion which was at least 2 bags of blood each time," she said.
"I wouldn't be alive today without blood donors. When you go through a lot of treatment like I have it really opens your eyes to how important blood donation is and how amazing those people who give blood are.”
"The ambulance crew were incredible, but there were 12 other people who saved my life that night – the blood donors. Without the transfusions at the scene, I wouldn’t have survived the journey to hospital," Lucie said.
Lucie, who volunteers for the charity Day One Trauma Support, wants her story to encourage others to donate.
"It makes me so happy when friends or people in the community tell me they’ve started giving blood after hearing my story. While I can’t donate blood myself, I hope to inspire others to do so.”
Blood types in high demand
The NHS is appealing for more O negative, B negative, and Ro donors as stocks of these critical blood types remain under strain during the festive season. Hospitals are facing increased demand due to ongoing efforts to clear elective surgery waiting lists, alongside routine transfusions for conditions like sickle cell.
There are around 71,000 blood donation appointments available across England up to January, with donor centres open every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Interested donors can book an appointment at local centres or community sessions to support patients who rely on this life-saving resource, often in emergency situations.