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9/11 survivor who 'thought she was going to die' still asks herself one heartbreaking question 25 years later
A 9/11 survivor has revealed the one heartbreaking question she still asks 25 years on from the devastating terrorist attack on the United States.
Janice Brooks was working on the 84th floor of World Trade Center 2, the South Tower, on that fateful day in 2001, when two hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers.
Now in her 60s, Janice, originally from East London, has recounted the day that changed the world forever in an exclusive interview with VT.
9/11 survivor's heartbreaking story of courage
From unassuming beginnings, Janice traded London for New York in August 2001, just weeks before the attacks that killed 2,977 people.
Working at the finance firm Euro Brokers, Janice, then 41, was left fighting for her life as United Airlines Flight 175 flew into the side of the South Tower, leaving her and hundreds of others precariously close to the crash site.
Having initially sought to evacuate the building after the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11 collided with the adjacent North Tower, Janice revealed how the building’s security urged everyone to return to their offices in order to keep the promenade between the buildings free for those in the North Tower, while promising that WTC 2 was secure.
Yet, just over 15 minutes later, the second aircraft struck Janice’s new office, leaving her and her colleagues scrambling for their lives, having initially been unaware of what had just played out beneath their very feet.
She recounted how she and her colleagues, several of whom were seriously injured, managed to make their escape via the fire exit before urgently hastening to get back home and to presumed safety 10 minutes away.
“There was a moment where I thought I was going to die,” Janice admitted.
The South Tower stood for just 56 minutes before collapsing, scattering millions of tons of debris across Manhattan, with the Brit revealing it was at that moment she thought she was going to die.
“After escaping the World Trade Center 2, I managed to get home. But it was the moments after the buildings collapsed that I thought about death.
"I was in my apartment, with debris and black smoke filling the streets and covering my window. I just sat on the sofa and tucked my legs up like a little girl and cried. I thought that could be it.”
Janice reveals the one heartbreaking question she still asks 25 years later
With the 25th anniversary on Friday, Janice is heading back to New York for a reunion with some of her former work colleagues, many of whom are 9/11 survivors.
Yet, it is those who won’t be there that have left Janice with a heartbreaking question.
“There were 60 (now 61) people at Euro Brokers, my company, who died in 9/11,” said Janice.
While fighting back the tears, the now-retired secretary heartbreakingly revealed the question she still asks a quarter of a century on from the horrifying act of terrorism.
“One of two questions I have — is why didn’t we all rush to get out, why did they [some of her Euro Brokers colleagues] stay? So, if I was telling myself something, it would be to tell everyone to leave too.
“The second would be, ‘why?’, why did they do it? Why did they kill thousands of innocent people?”
While the overriding emotion is one of immense sadness, Janice has never forgotten that on a day the world saw the worst of humanity, it also bore witness to some of the best of it.
“The overwhelming kindness I received from those around me. Everyone was so helpful, thoughtful, and willing to help. I saw both the best and worst of humanity, and the very best of people during 9/11. The kindness will always stay with me, and I think people should remember the humanity and the human cost of this story.”