Bethpage-Tribune_1990-02-08

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BETHPAGE
Island Trees
YOUR OFFICIAL HOMETOWN N£WSFAP£R
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Plainedge Seaford Old Bethpage Plainview
VOL 23 NO. 13 HEMUARY 8-14. 1990 aSCINTS
One Man's Story Who Survives AeAvianca Crash
by Linda Antondli
In the midst of all the tragedy
that the crash of Avianca's Flight
52 was surrounded by lies the
miracles and the joy in speaking
with those passengers that sur­vived
the downing of the JFK
bound 707.
The Bethpage Tribune had the
privilege of speaking with one
survivor, Rommel Ortiz native
Columbian who came to the
United States at a very early age
and is presently living in Long
Beach, Long Island.
Ortiz who is recuperating in
Glen Cove Hospital was treated
for facial lacerations as well as
a triple compound fracture of his
right leg and a broken left leg.
When we spoke with him he
looked remarkable well.
We asked Rommel if he
remembered anthing about the
crash. He said that basically he
had no idea that the 707 was
going to crash. He felt the usual
turbulance and assumed that
nothing was wrong. It was not
until the plane went dark that
Ortiz realized he and his fellow
passengers were in trouble.
"Everything went dark and then
I heard this big crash he said, the
next thing I remember was calling
for help and trying to move which
was virtually impossible."
Impossible so it seemed as it
took rescue workers virtually two
hours to remove Rommel from
the air craft. Rommel was sitting
in first class and was pinned in
place due to the fact that upon
impact everything in the plane
flew forward trapping him
between a wall and the dislodged
seats.
"I remember trying to feel
around and just trying to make
someone hear me and realise i
needed help." said Ortiz.
When the rescue workers
finally removed Ortiz from the
plane they realized that his right
leg and foot were severly injured
and that he was loosing alot of
blood. They rushed him to Glen
Cove hospital where he was
treated and transfused with four
pints of blood. Rommel also
underwent surgery to graft skin
to his injured foot and leg. *
When the Tribune spoke with
Rommel we could really see how
thankful and fortunate he felt to
have survived such a disasterous
crash. "This truly has given me
a different outlook on life. 1 don't
think 111 be worrying about all
the little incidental things any
more. I truly have been given a
second chance. I also thank God
that my wife was not on board
with me. I truly am lucky."
The Bethpage Tribune would
like to wish Rommel Ortiz a
speedy recovery and we thank
him for allowing us to speak with
him. Just seeing Rommel smile
and joke with us was inspira­tional.
Yes the crash of Avianca*s
flight 52 was tragic indeed, but
the stones of each and every
survivor are proof enough that
miracles do happen. May God
bless them all!
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The staff of the Bethpage Tribune and Photonews Long Island corporation showed
their spirit at the Bowl Against Dystrophy event. Pictures left to right are John
Mangano, VP of Photonews Long Island Corp. ; Gail Kelly, Bethpage Tribune
Editorial Assistant; Nora Rusch, Bethpage Tribune Production Staff member;
John Logerfo; Linda Antoneili, Bethpage Tribune Editor-in-Chief; Kevin Kelly;
Frank Morrone; Betsy Luongo; Steve Luongo, Steve Simpson and Michelle
Morrone.
On Saturday, February 3, the
Bethpage Tribune in conjunction with
the Bethpage Rotary Club, sponsored
our first annual Bowlathon Against
Dystrophy to benefit those persons
afflicted with neuromuscular diseases.
Members of the Bethpage Tribune, the
Bethpage Rotary Club, Photonews
Long Island Corporation, Greco
Brothers Fuel Oil, Bretton's Deli and
many Bethpage residents came
together and raised $2000 for this
worthy cause.
The event was held at Woodbury
Bowl in Hicksville at 10:30 pm during
the Bowling Facilities "NOSTALGL^
NIGHT." The lights were turned off
and the Tribune bowlers tried to
knock down as many pins as they
could to benefit "Jerry's Kids."
Whether they bowled a 43 or a 229,
each and every participant had a great
time enjoying the tunes of the fifties
and also knowing that each and every
one of them was doing his or her part
to try and help children afflicted with
this dreaded disease.
The Bethpage Frtbune would like
to congratulate Mr, Messner on
bowling the best game with an impres­sive
229. As well as Fdward Mangano
who bowled the worst game
with...well we won't say exactly what
that score was.
We would also like to thank each
and every participant and sponsor
who made this event so successful.
Without your generous donations this
Bowlathon would not have been
possible.
The Bethpage Triune and the
Bethpage Rotary Club plans on
making this an annual event so
practice up bowlers, the ntxi Bowla­thon
Against Dystrophy is right
around the comer.