A recent ballet dancer transplant to Memphis found himself the victim of a severe hit-and-run incident. Noah Long, who had moved from Toronto to Memphis to join Ballet Memphis, was struck by a car while bicycling in Midtown. The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday at the intersection of Poplar and North Avalon Street. Long suffered critical injuries that have required hospitalization and will necessitate months of physical therapy. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, which include a fractured spine and dislocated jaw, Long has made a miraculous recovery but still needs surgery, as per Action News 5.
Local Memphis stations have provided detailed accounts from witnesses and family members. Sharon Robinson, who witnessed the accident, stayed with Long until paramedics arrived. “I just know he needed help,” Robinson said, as per Action News 5. “When I saw him fly so high up in the air, I just jumped out of my car”. The Memphis Police are still looking for the suspected vehicle, described as a black 2018 or 2019 Ford Fiesta, which has yet to be located even though this has been the only reported crash at this intersection for the year.
Long's family expresses immense gratitude for Robinson's actions. “My heart just broke”, Long’s sister, Kate Robbins, said, cited by Action News 5, remarking on the moment she learned of her brother's accident. Similarly, Long's family hailed Robinson as a hero. “I’m just so proud of you. She did such a good job. It’s so stressful and she made sure, you made sure no one moved him because his neck was broken,” Robbins conveyed, per WREG. Long is recovering and was able to walk for the first time since his injuries occurred.
According to Action News 5, in light of the accident, members of the Ballet Memphis community and Long's friends have initiated a GoFundMe to assist with his medical expenses.
