story2608.xml
Title
story2608.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-09-11
911DA Story: Story
I was at my desk and, close to 9:00 a.m., I heard a loud "boom!". I thought that since my floor was close to the roof of the building, that maybe someone had dropped a big air conditioning unit or something. Then I heard the person in teh corner office yell and curse and we all ran into his office. We saw paper swirling in the sky and the top floors of one of the WTC buildings on fire. We all thought it was a terrorist bomb and imemdiately realized that people were dying. When the news reported a plane had hit the building we were releived because we thought it was just an unfortunate accident. I went back to my desk because I thought the "event" was over. I called my husband at home but he was in the shower.
I then went into the conference room on my floor which had a full, clear view of the WTC. I saw the metal bend and people leaving the bulding. I remember thinking how is anyone going to put that fire out? Where are the police? Why aren't people evacuating?
There were four of us in that room. In an instant, I saw a shiny plane, it looked silver and was larger than I could take in. As soon as I saw the plane, it struck the WTC. We all screamed and it took me a moment to realize when I heard the screaming that I was screaming too.
Some people came in to the room and dragged us out - they said "get away from the windows." I went to my desk, got my purse and called my husband. He asked me many questions and I finally said " I have to hand up -we are under attack." I took the elevator dwon and in the lobby, the building personnel told us to evacuate. I asked where we shoudl go and they said to the street. I said "the street?- that is not an evacuation plan - I saw the plane, I saw the plane" He said he was sorry I had to see it but I should go.
On the street, I saw co-workers - everyone in tears and looking at the towers burn. One of the cleaning ladies in my office grabbed my arm really hard and said "do not go to pieces." In retrospect I always wondered if she already experienced terror.
I decided that it was not wise to stay ont eh street. The subways and bridges were also not options because I figured they were targets too.
In a bit of a daze, I decided towlak to teh 2 train because I only needed to go 1 stop - at the same time I knew I would not get on the train.
In the bottom of Chase Manhattan Plaza, I saw people in Chase bank making calls. I started to crumble and asked the guard if I could go in. He said yes - I wnet in and was placed at a desk with a phone and a cup of water. Soemone gave me a hug.
I called my mother. I was hysterical but she lives uptown and I do not think she appreciated the gravity of the situation because she as planning on going out to keep a business appointment.
We then heard about the Penatagon. OTher people came in crying - one had a son at AMEX, onelady knew people at Cantor Fitzgerald.
Then, throguht the atrium we saw debris and peole running. I immediately thought the stock excahange had been hit. We also ran down some stairs throught he cafeteria. Insitinctively men picked up pallets of bottled water and I picked up a tray of cookies. We stopped in a service area ont hat floor thinking we were safe. We then saw people coverd with dust and bleeding. I remembe thinking that there was a fire and we were trapped. That was my true moment of fear.
We learned that the people had come from outside - I still did not know any builidngs had collapsed.
I saw a maitnenace office and went in there. They let me use a phone and I called some people to tell them I was safe. I was shaking. The maintenance man told me the buildings had collapsed. He had a mask and I took one.
We then evacuated further downt he bulding until we ended up in the 5th sub-basement. I felt sagfe. There was mater, toilets, food and masks. People were praying, nervous but no panic. When we weret old to form a line for the elevator up we did.
At some point, I told one of te maintenance men that I was nervous because I was pregnant - he said don't worry.
At around 11:30 - we were told we can leave and we exited the building. I looked at Broadway and it was pitch black. People were dusty.
I walked over the bridge and went home.
I remember more but it just too much to write.
I then went into the conference room on my floor which had a full, clear view of the WTC. I saw the metal bend and people leaving the bulding. I remember thinking how is anyone going to put that fire out? Where are the police? Why aren't people evacuating?
There were four of us in that room. In an instant, I saw a shiny plane, it looked silver and was larger than I could take in. As soon as I saw the plane, it struck the WTC. We all screamed and it took me a moment to realize when I heard the screaming that I was screaming too.
Some people came in to the room and dragged us out - they said "get away from the windows." I went to my desk, got my purse and called my husband. He asked me many questions and I finally said " I have to hand up -we are under attack." I took the elevator dwon and in the lobby, the building personnel told us to evacuate. I asked where we shoudl go and they said to the street. I said "the street?- that is not an evacuation plan - I saw the plane, I saw the plane" He said he was sorry I had to see it but I should go.
On the street, I saw co-workers - everyone in tears and looking at the towers burn. One of the cleaning ladies in my office grabbed my arm really hard and said "do not go to pieces." In retrospect I always wondered if she already experienced terror.
I decided that it was not wise to stay ont eh street. The subways and bridges were also not options because I figured they were targets too.
In a bit of a daze, I decided towlak to teh 2 train because I only needed to go 1 stop - at the same time I knew I would not get on the train.
In the bottom of Chase Manhattan Plaza, I saw people in Chase bank making calls. I started to crumble and asked the guard if I could go in. He said yes - I wnet in and was placed at a desk with a phone and a cup of water. Soemone gave me a hug.
I called my mother. I was hysterical but she lives uptown and I do not think she appreciated the gravity of the situation because she as planning on going out to keep a business appointment.
We then heard about the Penatagon. OTher people came in crying - one had a son at AMEX, onelady knew people at Cantor Fitzgerald.
Then, throguht the atrium we saw debris and peole running. I immediately thought the stock excahange had been hit. We also ran down some stairs throught he cafeteria. Insitinctively men picked up pallets of bottled water and I picked up a tray of cookies. We stopped in a service area ont hat floor thinking we were safe. We then saw people coverd with dust and bleeding. I remembe thinking that there was a fire and we were trapped. That was my true moment of fear.
We learned that the people had come from outside - I still did not know any builidngs had collapsed.
I saw a maitnenace office and went in there. They let me use a phone and I called some people to tell them I was safe. I was shaking. The maintenance man told me the buildings had collapsed. He had a mask and I took one.
We then evacuated further downt he bulding until we ended up in the 5th sub-basement. I felt sagfe. There was mater, toilets, food and masks. People were praying, nervous but no panic. When we weret old to form a line for the elevator up we did.
At some point, I told one of te maintenance men that I was nervous because I was pregnant - he said don't worry.
At around 11:30 - we were told we can leave and we exited the building. I looked at Broadway and it was pitch black. People were dusty.
I walked over the bridge and went home.
I remember more but it just too much to write.
Collection
Citation
“story2608.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed May 19, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/12088.