Red Cross seeks blood donations following Asheville wreck

The wreck, which sent 15 people to the hospital late Wednesday, has depleted type O negative blood supplies across the state. Type O negative blood is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type.

To schedule a blood donation appointment by phone, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The American Red Cross is using its resources to send units of blood to Asheville from other parts of the state, but officials say it could further affect supplies across the region since donations have already been lagging during the holiday season.

The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet the needs of patients.

Most healthy people 17 or older who weight at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate. Donors 16 and younger who meet specific height and weight requirement and have parental consent can also donate blood.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol in Transylvania County told WLOS-TV that the truck driver, Edwin Morrow, of Swannanoa, went off the side of U.S. Highway 64, overcorrected, crossed the center line and then hit the van.

Morrow, the van's driver, Stephanie Castello, of Henderson, and 13 van passengers were taken to a local hospital, WLOS reported.