U2 perform at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C.
On stage at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, Bono took a few minutes to thank the Good Samaritan who called 911 after his bicycling accident in Central Park last fall, as well as the firefighters who came to his rescue.
“I am here today because some people, when I crashed my bike here in the city, a beautiful girl made a phone call to 911. She is from Denver, but she’s here tonight. And so is Engine 44 – the fighting Irish – that picked me up off the ground,” the U2 front man said before accepting a shot of Jameson from the firefighters and handing over the microphone for brief remarks.
The firefighters charmingly invited Bono over to Engine 44 for dinner after the concert and vowed to always take care of him.
His other rescuer had some slightly barbed words, however, making the interesting choice of insulting New York City in the middle of a stadium full of New Yorkers.
“So I have to clarify, it’s Alyssa and I’m from D.C., not Denver,” she began.
“But Bono, here’s what happened: I was running in Central Park, there was an accident, obviously I had to stop and help you because I’m not from New York, I’m from Virginia, where people are nice."
“Anyhow, I called 911 ‘cause no one else was doing it... He would not be here tonight if it weren't for me!"
Her remarks were met with loud boos from the crowd, and Bono looked slightly mortified.
Watch the exchange here: