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“. . . there is something not right, out-of-order, about the view, Tad Hanc noticed from his 86th floor windows looking north. Studying the magnificent Manhattan skyline, Tad began to take it in. And then it registered in all its horrifying aspects. Lowering his eyes slightly, Tad saw a large passenger airliner heading due south over Fifth Avenue just missing the top of the Empire State Building, flying very, very fast - heading straight toward Tower One - directly to his office - aimed right at him!”
This is but one of fifteen heart-stopping stories the author has included in FROM THE INSIDE-OUT! Harrowing Escapes from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. From the oral accounts of people living their normal, everyday lives, this book is a valuable collection of the human experience - documenting that intangible essence of bravery, selflessness, and generosity of spirit that exists, often dormant inside us all, rising to the forefront in times of crisis.
The last person to make it out of the South Tower, the author, Erik O. Ronningen, tells of his escape from the 71st floor of the North Tower and recounts the nearly incredible experiences of fourteen other survivors in this tautly written account from a day of sudden terror.
Erik Ronningen was on the 71st floor of the North Tower on September 11, 2001 when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building. After an incredible, near miraculous journey down through the acrid, smoke-filled building, Erik tried to get to the Security Command Center in the South Tower. Unable to do so, he was the last person to make it out of the South Tower alive.
Here is the story of his harrowing escape interwoven with the accounts of fourteen others who were lucky enough to be able to recount them.
Altogether, these accounts document the bravery and heroism, selflessness and generosity demonstrated by hundreds of people when their normal everyday lives were suddenly plunged into a fiery scramble for survival.
The astonishing photograph on the cover of this book was taken by survivor Jim Usher as he lay on the concrete outside the WTC losing consciousness, so his family could see what he saw during what he thought were the last moments of his life. And yes, that flag was really there! This photograph has never before been made public.
Scranton, PAWIP TV Interview
