ATV accident that left student critical prompts blood donation increase

Gaffney High junior Maricela Botello, 17, donates blood Tuesday at the school. Approximately 120 students gave blood. Many of the donations were in honor of Gaffney High freshman Tyler Lovingood, who was injured Thursday in an all-terrain vehicle accident. A Gaffney teen remains in critical condition at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center after being injured Thursday in an all-terrain vehicle accident.

Tyler Lovingood, 15, of 2221 Pacolet Hwy., Gaffney, was flown by Regional One to SRMC at 10:30 p.m. Thursday after he was found lying in a field with his ATV on top of him. He suffered head and internal injuries, according to emergency responders.

Friends and neighbors of the Gaffney High ninth-grader have shown their support by donating blood to the Piedmont Blood Bank. Approximately 20 people, including 10 Goucher White Plains volunteer firefighters, donated blood in Lovingood’s honor Monday at the Spartanburg blood bank.

On Tuesday, approximately 120 Gaffney High students donated blood during a drive held at Gaffney High in Lovingood’s honor, said blood bank manager Regina Lambert. Another 30 students attempted to give blood but were unable to do so.

“I know some of his family and he’s a good boy,” said GHS Assistant Principal Eric Blanton. “We’re hoping everything works out fine with it. He’s in our thoughts and prayers. It’s a real tragedy.

“The blood drive had been previously planned, but when this happened, Dr. (GHS Principal Quincie) Moore wanted to see if we could do it in honor of Tyler,” Blanton added.

“Our hearts go out to the family. This is a way to show our support and help in this time of need,” Moore said.

Tyler’s aunt, Danette Lovingood, is a media specialist at the school, according to Moore.

Tyler’s family is thankful for the prayers and support of friends.

“He’s in critical condition but he’s doing better,” said Tyler’s mother, Susan Lovingood, Tuesday evening. “He’s coming along great but he has a long way to go. They are going to try to let him wake up on his own (today).

“We need lots of prayers, we can’t have too many prayers,” she continued. “He’s strong, he’s a fighter, but it’s a long slow process. Thank you for the prayers and keep praying for Tyler and our family.”

Lovingood was checking hunting traps and had been missing for nearly two hours when officers with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team were called to help search for him. Just before the SERT team arrived, family members found Lovingood in a field off Pacolet Highway across from Fortenberry Road not far from his home.

Firefighters from Goucher White Plains had to access the remote location with a 4wheel-drive brush truck. Regional One landed in a field near the accident site.

“When we got there, firefighters found him lying in a field with head injuries and complaining of rib injuries,” said Goucher Fire Chief Jimmy Lamb. “We determined him to be a trauma patient and requested Regional One.”

Tyler’s mother has an impassioned plea for parents of children who ride ATVs.

“Make them wear their helmets,” she said. “That would have made a big difference for Tyler.”

The Piedmont Blood Bank Bloodmobile will be in Gaffney again March 18 and 30.

The bloodmobile will be at the Bi-Lo grocery store from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. March 18, and at Cherokee Technology Center between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. March 30.

Donors will receive free Tshirts.