{It's ten years since the world trade center attacks.Two foreigners caught in the tragedy tells their stories...}
Elizabeth Turner, Elizabeth was seven months pregnant when work took her husband from London to New york for a business confrence
"Simon ,my husband of two years ,worked in publishing and in september2001 flew out with 16 colleagues for a confrence at the windows on the world restaurant on the 106th floor of World trade center's north tower",she says.
"At that time I was working in HR for British television channel 4.I was at the office canteen for lunch when I caught sight of the first plane hitting the tower on the news.Then the second tower was hit and everyone said it was a terrorist attack.
"I panicked and tried to ring Simon.I didn't get through. From that moment everything felt like an out of body experience.
"The pain of losing him was excruciating but I couldn't kill myself as I was pregnant ."
Thankfully ,Elizabeth carried to full term and gave birth to baby William.
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George Sleigh ,The British born naval architect was working on the 91st floor when the north tower was struck.Now 73 and retired ,he lives in Ohio.
"I was on the phone in my office when I heard the loud roar of a plane,which then hit the building about eight meters above my head.The ceiling began collapsing on top of me ,so I covered my head with my hands and prayed to god to save me.Although I was almost buried under debris,I was unhurt.I grabbed my briefcase and threw my address book into it .My wife,Elaine,had just moved offices and I couldn't remember her number.I left my office within minutes.
"There were three stairwells,two of which were blocked with rubble.I took the third.I wasn't scared and didn't imagine the building would collapse.The stairwell was well lit and everyone was walking down calmly.I quietly joined them.The heat was incredible as I walk down ,there was smoke and I could smell kerosene.
"When I reached the 35 th floor everything went pitch black .I used my flashlight to navigate through dark. We reached the 20th floor a female colleague said she would rest for a while .I tried to persuade her to come with us ,but she declined.A passing fireman said he would look after her.Later I discovered that she didn't make it.At ground level ,I found that two of the four exits had been blocked by debris.I chose to go to the open one on the right ,six of the group went to the left .I learnt later that they had died.
"As I left the tower I heard screams and noises.People were jumping from the windows of the tower.Only firefighters were heading into the tower else everyone were taking the way out . I was dazed and covered with dust and blood .I lost all concepts of time.
Since 9/11 I no longer easily trust people .I worry about anyone carrying a bag in public transport and I still wonder what I could have done to prevent my colleagues from talking the wrong exit and how I could have prevented .
(It is a true story read from Reader's Digest )
Elizabeth Turner, Elizabeth was seven months pregnant when work took her husband from London to New york for a business confrence
"Simon ,my husband of two years ,worked in publishing and in september2001 flew out with 16 colleagues for a confrence at the windows on the world restaurant on the 106th floor of World trade center's north tower",she says.
"At that time I was working in HR for British television channel 4.I was at the office canteen for lunch when I caught sight of the first plane hitting the tower on the news.Then the second tower was hit and everyone said it was a terrorist attack.
"I panicked and tried to ring Simon.I didn't get through. From that moment everything felt like an out of body experience.
"The pain of losing him was excruciating but I couldn't kill myself as I was pregnant ."
Thankfully ,Elizabeth carried to full term and gave birth to baby William.
= = = = = =
George Sleigh ,The British born naval architect was working on the 91st floor when the north tower was struck.Now 73 and retired ,he lives in Ohio.
"I was on the phone in my office when I heard the loud roar of a plane,which then hit the building about eight meters above my head.The ceiling began collapsing on top of me ,so I covered my head with my hands and prayed to god to save me.Although I was almost buried under debris,I was unhurt.I grabbed my briefcase and threw my address book into it .My wife,Elaine,had just moved offices and I couldn't remember her number.I left my office within minutes.
"There were three stairwells,two of which were blocked with rubble.I took the third.I wasn't scared and didn't imagine the building would collapse.The stairwell was well lit and everyone was walking down calmly.I quietly joined them.The heat was incredible as I walk down ,there was smoke and I could smell kerosene.
"When I reached the 35 th floor everything went pitch black .I used my flashlight to navigate through dark. We reached the 20th floor a female colleague said she would rest for a while .I tried to persuade her to come with us ,but she declined.A passing fireman said he would look after her.Later I discovered that she didn't make it.At ground level ,I found that two of the four exits had been blocked by debris.I chose to go to the open one on the right ,six of the group went to the left .I learnt later that they had died.
"As I left the tower I heard screams and noises.People were jumping from the windows of the tower.Only firefighters were heading into the tower else everyone were taking the way out . I was dazed and covered with dust and blood .I lost all concepts of time.
Since 9/11 I no longer easily trust people .I worry about anyone carrying a bag in public transport and I still wonder what I could have done to prevent my colleagues from talking the wrong exit and how I could have prevented .
(It is a true story read from Reader's Digest )
