On the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, a survivor of the South Tower shares a gripping personal account with CityNews, recounting his harrowing experience during the deadliest terror attack in modern history.
Joseph Dittmar, a commercial underwriting executive from Chicago at the time, found himself on the 105th floor of the South Tower for a morning meeting when chaos erupted with the first plane hitting the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. In an exclusive interview with CityNews, Dittmar vividly describes the tense moments that followed.
Amidst the confusion and disbelief, Dittmar and 53 others in a windowless conference room were urged to evacuate by a volunteer fire marshal. Reluctantly leaving their meeting behind, they began the treacherous journey down 105 flights of stairs, unaware of the magnitude of the unfolding tragedy.
As they descended, Dittmar recalls the surreal sight of the burning North Tower and the unimaginable chaos he witnessed. Despite the overwhelming fear and uncertainty, Dittmar’s decision to stick to the stairwell proved to be life-saving when the second plane struck the South Tower.
His harrowing tale of survival is a testament to the resilience and courage displayed by individuals facing unimaginable circumstances that fateful day. Dittmar expresses profound gratitude for the support and assistance received, particularly highlighting the invaluable contributions of Canadian responders and soldiers in the aftermath of the attacks.
Keyphrase: September 11 survivor
