Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a British survivor is sharing her harrowing experience and the enduring guilt she carries. Janice Brooks, who had been working on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower, narrowly escaped the tragedy that killed 61 of her colleagues.
Brooks had arrived in New York City just 19 days before the attacks to work as an executive assistant for Euro Brokers. On the morning of September 11, she was at her desk when the North Tower was struck by American Airlines Flight 11. Initially, she was part of an evacuation, but officials instructed people to return to their offices due to overcrowding on the plaza. As she ascended the stairwell, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower, striking floors 77 through 85, just below her.
She described scenes of horror as she descended the burning tower, witnessing wounded colleagues and encountering a third stairwell that allowed her group to reach the ground. Emerging into the aftermath, she saw the devastation and later witnessed the South Tower collapse from her nearby apartment. The ensuing dust cloud filled her living space, leading her to believe she would die.
Brooks recounted the kindness of strangers who helped her navigate the debris-filled streets and reach safety. In the days following the attack, she worked on a helpline for relatives of missing employees, a role that underscored the immense loss. Her directors encouraged her to attend the funerals of her colleagues, but the emotional toll and logistical challenges made it difficult.
"To my complete and utter shame, of the 61 funerals I only went to 23," Brooks stated. "I should have tried harder. I let the families down. I let myself down. I will take this to the grave. It's something I will never forgive myself for."
Now retired and living back in the UK, Brooks speaks to young people through the charity Since 9/11, educating them about extremism and tolerance. She is returning to New York to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Brooks plans to visit the 9/11 Memorial and keeps a vial of dust from her apartment as a reminder of her survival and the importance of gratitude.
"On the day when I saw the worst of humanity, I saw the best of humanity," Brooks reflected. "I saw the best of New York and I saw the best of New Yorkers."