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9/11 Officer's Journal Reveals Untold Survivor Stories
7 Sep
Summary
- Officer recalled people on fire and begging for help.
- He narrowly escaped collapse by running into a hotel.
- Only a few hundred of the original NYPD responders remain.
A New York Police Department officer has unveiled his personal memo book from September 11, 2001, sharing his experiences from that fateful day.
Officer Shaun McGill, then a rookie, was responding to a minor accident near the World Trade Center when the first plane struck. His log details the chaos, including witnessing civilians engulfed in flames and desperately needing assistance. He described debris falling and intense fires within the towers.
McGill recounted his survival as buildings collapsed, trapping him and others. He managed to escape with firefighters through debris and flooded water. He recalled hearing 'It's coming down!' before the impact.
He noted that the World Trade Center Health Program encouraged him to speak about his experiences after retiring, finding it beneficial. The 1st Precinct now houses a collection of 9/11 remnants, including McGill's memo book and a photo of Officer Moira Smith, the sole female NYPD officer lost that day.
