Bicycling Bravest struck by bus, in critical condi

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

An off-duty firefighter who was riding his bike to work amid the transit strike was struck and critically injured Thursday morning by a private bus in midtown Manhattan.

Fire officials identified the victim as 39-year-old Matthew Long, a son of Michael Long, the Conservative Party state chairman.

Long was riding to work from his Manhattan home to the fire department’s training academy on Randalls Island when the accident occurred, authorities said.

The bus — hired by the Bear Sterns investment banking firm to shuttle employees during the strike — was northbound on Third Avenue at about 6 a.m. when it made a right turn and struck the cyclist, police said.

Long was taken to New York Weill-Cornell Medical Center where he was in critical condition, said Ken Bohan, a Fire Department spokesman. The off-duty firefighter suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries.

The bus involved in the accident is owned by Allen AME Transportation and is affiliated with the Greater Allen AME Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, which is run by the Rev. Floyd Flake, an influential clergyman and former Democratic congressman.

“I really can’t discuss it,’ said a woman who answered the phone at the company. “I don’t know anything.” No charges were filed; the accident remained under investigation.

ALL THANKS TO THE STRIKE. I'M GLAD IT IS OVER

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New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com

Holiday hope for

fireman hurt by bus

By VERONIKA BELENKAYA

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Monday, December 26th, 2005

In a hospital waiting room, the seeds of hope were being planted on Christmas Day.

The parents of Firefighter Matthew Long sat among family and other loved ones, looking for signs that he would recover from his critical injuries.

Long, 39, was hit by a charter bus last Thursday as he bicycled to work on Manhattan's East Side during the transit strike.

The immediate prognosis was grim, but heroic efforts by surgeons and Long's good physical condition gave his family hope for a recovery.

Yesterday, the entire Long clan and dozens of the city's Bravest filled a waiting room at Weill Cornell Medical Center, not far from where Matthew, a triathlete, lay.

"He's still deep in the woods, but he's making baby steps toward recovery," said his father, Michael Long, clad in a red holiday sweater.

"In the last 20 hours, he hasn't needed any more blood, and he tried to open his eyes. That's our Christmas present," he continued.

The aroma of fresh bagels and hot coffee filled the room, as loved ones turned to each other for support and comfort. Well-wishers came with gift bags and a wealth of moral support.

"It's family and firefighters here. There's so much support," said Long's mother, Eileen Long, who sported a festive red Christmas pin.

"They are here on Christmas Day," she said, her voice trailing off.

Her son suffered a dislocated shoulder and a fractured pelvis, left arm and leg after the accident at Third Ave. and E. 52nd St.

He was biking to the FDNY Academy on Randalls Island, where he trains new recruits.

His family attended a morning Mass at the hospital, then went upstairs for a brunch of coffee and bagels. Last night, they had Christmas dinner there.

Long also was on the mind of Mayor Bloomberg, who asked New Yorkers in his radio address yesterday to "remember in your prayers Firefighter Matthew Long."

Bloomberg's gesture was not lost on Long's father, the state Conservative Party boss. "We are thankful for all the prayer. It gives us hope," he said. "There's just been a great outpouring of support from the whole city. It's a present that he is still with us. But more prayers are still needed."

"And donations," his wife chimed in. "Please donate blood in his name."

Those interested in donating blood can call (800) 933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.

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Blood Drive Held For Firefighter Injured During Transit Strike

NY1 News

 

A blood drive was held on Staten Island Tueday for an off-duty firefighter injured during the transit strike.

The blood drive was in honor of injured Firefighter Matthew Long, who was hit by a bus in Manhattan two weeks ago while he was biking to work.

Long has had several operations since then, and has received close to 49 pints of blood.

Organizers say giving blood will not only help Long, but will also save countless lives.

“Just to put it into perspective, every person that donates saves five lives,†said Michael Leviton of the New York Blood Center. “So that could be a newborn baby, it could be a firefighter that's been injured, it could be someone with cancer or leukemia, so countless lives are getting saved."

“There are many people in need of blood. There is a blood shortage, and any help we can be to one another would be a positive thing in this city," said FDNY Capt. John Graziano of Ladder 78.

Matthew Long's recovery is progressing, but he's still in critical condition.

Long was one of the fitness instructors at the Fire Academy. Probationary firefighters from the most recent graduating class have raised more than $1,000 in his honor.

The New York Blood Center says the city’s blood supply is critically low, in part due to the holidays and the transit strike, when several blood drives were cancelled. 

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this guy used to work for my girlfrned's dad in spanish harlem on 43 truck.