Marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a survivor of the South Tower shares a gripping account of escape, tragedy, and resilience with CityNews. Joseph Dittmar, a commercial underwriting executive from Chicago at the time, recounts his harrowing experience on the 105th floor of the tower as the horrific events unfolded at the World Trade Center.
Dittmar vividly remembers the moment the first plane struck the neighboring North Tower, causing a flicker in the lights of the conference room where he was with 53 others. Despite initial disbelief, a volunteer fire marshal’s insistence led to their evacuation down 105 flights of stairs, unaware of the full extent of the attack.
Descending, Dittmar witnessed the devastation in the North Tower, with flames, debris, and a plane’s fuselage embedded in the building. The chaos and fear were overwhelming, yet his decision to continue on foot instead of taking an elevator ultimately saved his life when the South Tower was hit by a second plane.
As he navigated the crumbling stairwell, Dittmar felt the impact of the plane and the subsequent chaos, but his determination to survive and help others prevailed. His reflections on the day highlight the courage, compassion, and sacrifices made by those involved, including the Canadian responders who offered invaluable support during the aftermath of the tragedy.
