nmah5498.xml

nmah5498.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-04-15

WTC attack My Story by Richard Fern…9-11-2001
I was in the Euro Brokers computer room of 2 WTC on the 84th floor where I am employed as an IT Manager when I noticed the lights flicker. I did not hear anything because of the loud AC units that cool the room. I went out to the Trading Floor and saw all the Brokers clamoring by the North side windows screaming that a bomb had just exploded across from us in 1 WTC. When I looked out the windows I saw the flames and papers coming from the upper floors across from us. I then went by my office where I was again watching the papers and flames. At this moment CNN was reporting that a plane had flown into the 1 WTC. The Port Authority Emergency PA system was then announcing, that a plane had accidentally crashed into 1 WTC and 2 WTC was secure. I went back to the window and was looking down for debris from the wreckage but later learned I was looking at the opposite end of where the plane went in. About this time people started jumping from 1 WTC to escape the flames. I returned to the Trading floor to I saw one of the partners, Brian Clark. I told him I had seen people jumping from the other building. Brian then went to the window when more people where jumping. Both of us turned away in disbelief at what we where witnessing. I told Brian I was leaving and went back to my desk.
The Port Authority Emergency PA system was now announcing if you wish to leave you can. I then headed for the elevator pushed the hall button and stepped in when the 2nd plane crashed into my building throwing me first into the left wall then the right wall landing on the floor on all fours in the dark. I then jumped from the elevator before the doors could close and risk being trapped, now I headed for the nearest emergency stairway opening the door to find it unlit and filled with smoke. I started running down the stairs following the white glow in the dark stripe on the steps. When I arrived on the 78th floor I was shocked to discover the stairs ended. I reached along the wall and found a door handle and was relieved to find that it opened and saw daylight coming from the opening. Upon entering I heard someone yell do not go down that staircase, use this one. I walked briskly to where I heard the voice coming from and passed a woman who was bleeding and being helped by a man, but otherwise OK. I then started down the next staircase; I was moving quickly and passing people on the staircase. I then turned a corner and saw a woman and man standing on the steps in front of a wall that fell in from the explosion and blocked the way. They said to me that they could not pass. I did not even acknowledge them; I just put my hands under the wall and lifted. The wall came up and came to rest on the banister, just enough for us to crawl under. I continued down to the next floor where a smaller portion of a wall had fallen and blocked the stairs. I jumped from the stairs on top of the wall and rolled over onto the landing and continued my descent.
Further down I ran into another co-worker Peter whom I was about to pass. He stopped me and said, We should stay together. I remember responding, OK but he would have to keep up with me. About this time I switched my 2 -way radio to the channel our Facilities people use. I heard one of our security person Jerry who was outside the building calling Dave who is in communications department. Dave was still in the building telling Jerry that there was a lot of smoke and to send help.
At the time I was surprised we did not see many people in the stairway. But thinking back a lot of people must have left when the 1st plane struck. When we reached the 30th floor my legs where shaking and I was concerned that I would collapse, but I kept on going. When we reached the bottom we were directed out of the building by Port Authority Police and Security people. We exited on Church Street by Borders Book store. As we walked up Fulton Street along side the church cemetery Peter stopped and started to look up at the building. I grabbed him and said lets move before something falls on us. We continued to Broadway then up to Park Row stopping in front J & R electronics store where a group of Euro Brokers employees where gathering. Peter and I separated. I then sat down on the curb before I would collapse. I stopped in a Deli on Beekman Street to purchase a liter of water. I was surprised when the clerk charged me $1.59, since I was covered from head to toe with soot and ash.
I walked to the Barbershop where I normally get my Haircut. When I entered the door Antonella helped me into one of the chairs and another Barber wiped me down with wet cold towels. I was now asking if I could use the phone to call my wife Christina. Unable to reach her I called my mother in Brooklyn and told her I was OK and to call home for me. While resting I would listen to the radio and could still hear Dave saying his situation was grim and pleading for someone to help. I then decided I would leave Manhattan and walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and go to Christinas cousin Joe store on the other side. As I was preparing to leave, we heard a most deafening rumble, which sounded much like a jet going overhead. People in the street were screaming that a 3rd jet was going to crash. I walked into the back of the Barbershop till the noise stopped. We now learned that one of the Towers had fallen. I also noticed that I did not hear Dave anymore. I then thanked Antonella and told her she should leave herself.
I headed towards South Street and when I reached the corner a crowd of people where rushing towards me. I ran ahead of them down Nassau Street stopping in front of Pace University resting on a parked car. I then spotted a tremendous cloud of dust and ash coming towards me. I knew I did not have the energy to make it to the Bridge before getting caught in the cloud. I ran instead into the University just in time as the cloud grayed out the sun. Security people directed us to the rear of the building where I took refuge in a stairwell with other Students and a businessman. Two of the students wanted to leave the building and run for the Bridge, I warned them that they should not since we had no idea of what the dust contained and it could be harmful. I then heard Jerry on the Radio calling for anyone. I answered him and told him to get away from the area and go home. The dust was now settling and the sun returned. I removed my shirt and cut the tail off with my pocketknife to make a dust mask, the businessman did the same with his tee shirt. We wished each other good luck and left the building.
I walked towards the Bridge and stopped by Policemen who were handing out surgical masks, and was directed to the shortest way to get on the Bridge walkway. By now I am walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and trying to reach Christina by cell phone which up to now did not work. I was able to call Joe and asked him to contact Christina and let her know I was OK. As I was approaching the middle of the Bridge I again heard another rumble like before and the 2nd Tower started to fall. I looked for a moment but turned away. I did not want to watch, and then started to jog but could not.
After exiting on the Brooklyn side I was walking by the Red Cross building where an ATF agent carrying a shotgun was gesturing people to the other side of the street away from the building because they were getting too close. The walk to the store took about 5 minutes. I then collapsed on a box against the wall. I started to watch CNN and they kept showing the 2nd plane going in and then the buildings falling. I lost 60 co-workers today.

All the people who where Lost.

I have always flown the American flag in front of my House