“Hero Medic Saves Teens from Overturned Bus: ‘Right Time, Right Place’ Proves Fate Exists”
Of course, it takes a school bus flipping on the Garden State Parkway for us to remember that heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes, they’re just 22-year-old medics driving home after a long day. Matt Goldman, a volunteer EMT with the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, was minding his own business when he witnessed the crash that left over a dozen Jewish students injured on their way to a wedding celebration. Naturally, he didn’t hesitate to leap into action, because apparently, saving lives is just what you do when you’ve been volunteering since you were 16.
The bus, which was transporting students to New Square, New York, flipped on March 10, leaving one 14-year-old boy critically injured and pinned underneath. Goldman, who has been with the ambulance corps for nearly six years, first helped students escape the overturned vehicle before realizing the gravity of the situation: a teenager was trapped. With the kind of calm that makes you wonder if he’s secretly a Marvel character, Goldman managed to free the boy and assist the other injured passengers.
Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, who probably hasn’t seen this much action since the last town hall meeting, praised Goldman as “a courageous young man” and even got Governor Phil Murphy to personally call and congratulate him. Because nothing says “hero” like a politician’s voicemail. Goldman was later awarded the key to the city of Montvale, which, let’s be honest, is probably more useful than a medal but still doesn’t pay the bills.
Goldman, ever humble, chalked it up to being in the “right place at the right time,” which is a nice way of saying he’s the kind of person who makes the rest of us look bad. His actions not only saved lives but also validated his decision to dedicate his life to helping others. Meanwhile, the rest of us are still trying to figure out how to parallel park without crying.
So, the next time you’re stuck in traffic on the Garden State Parkway, remember: you could be one overturned bus away from meeting your local hero. Or, you know, just another Tuesday in New Jersey.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, WKXW, WCBS-TV, WPVI-TV, WABC-TV, Quinnipiac Today
