PAUL THE PILOT INJURED IN CAR CRASH - FUND RAISER SCHEDULED

This piece of news came to us yesterday from John. Apparently, 'Paul the Pilot', who had flown his WOW plane over New Jersey and New York numerous times, and had been an excellent friend to the Opie and Anthony show, was in a car accident last month, and has been in a coma ever since.

John sent in the following article from the New Jersey Herald:

Fund-raiser for pilot injured in Wantage car crash

By BRENDAN BERLS
Herald Staff Writer

Friends of a local pilot who has been in a coma for almost four weeks due to injuries suffered in a car accident, will hold a fluid-raiser later this month to help his family make ends meet.

Paul Ordini, 45, of Lafayette, has been a regular performer in the annual Sussex Air Show, in which he was known as The Great Ordini, for many years, said a friend who described him as "a good family man, hard working." Paul Styger the owner of Sussex Airport, said Ordini had been "doing the air show bit for 15 or more years", and flew a "rather unusual ultralight airplane."

Since the early hours of June 8th, Ordini has been hospitalized in a coma after crashing his car on Pelletown Road in Wantage. The friend, Cathy Wright said his car crashed through a telephone pole before hitting a tree.

Wright said police found no traces of alcohol in his system. State Police on Saturday could confirm the time and place of the accident but not whether alcohol or drugs were involved. Ordini suffered multiple internal injuries, including two collapsed lungs, Wright said.

"We don't know what happened, and we won't unless he wakes up," she said.

Wright is organizing a benefit for later this month to aid Ordini's wife, Mary who works at the Franklin Wal-Mart, and 13-year-old son, Joey, who are now faced with the added worries of paying for food and utilities along with the trauma of Paul Ordini's injury.

FUND RAISER SCHEDULED FOR JULY 25th:
The benefit to be held at the Sussex Elks Lodge near McCoy's Corner on July 25, will cost $20 per person, $30 for a couple, and will be restricted to those aged 21 and older. There will be a cash bar a $10 "bike wash by babes," an auction for plane rides at the nearby airport, and live entertainment by FORVER ALONE, a local rock band, Wright said.

Wright added that Ordinis condition at the hospital doesn’t look good.”

"We’re hoping; but it’s in God's hands right now," she said.

For more information on the benefit, Wright can be reached at 973-875-7115

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