British 9/11 South Tower Survivor’s Recurring Nightmare

Today, at age 66, Ms Brooks resides in Norfolk, England, and works with the charity Since 9/11 to educate younger generations who were born after the tragedy.

Escape From the 84th Floor of the South Tower

Ms Brooks had moved to New York just three weeks prior to accept an executive assistant position at Euro Brokers inside Two World Trade Center, following a decade working for the firm in London. On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 am, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the north tower. According to Ms Brooks, her 84th-floor office faced away from the impact site, but she heard a massive explosion and saw paper and dust swirling outside her windows. After confirming the situation with her managing director in London—who watched the unfolding events on television over 3,500 miles away—she fled her desk. Designated fire marshals Steve Chucknick and Jose Marrero directed people toward the stairs before both men lost their lives.

While descending the stairwell, Ms Brooks and her colleagues received a public address announcement at 8:55 am from a Port Authority official stating that Building Two was secure and stable, advising evacuees to return to their offices. Trusting this instruction, Ms Brooks and a dozen others walked to a bank of elevators on the 70th floor. When the elevators failed to arrive, the group walked back up the stairs. At 9:03 am, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed directly into the south tower, triggering an almighty blast, plunging the area into darkness, and leaving only one undamaged stairwell.

Survival Amid Devastation and the Toll on Euro Brokers

Navigating through smoke, debris, and injured survivors, Ms Brooks descended the remaining stairs with the help of colleague Bob Mahon, who carried a severely injured woman on his back for the final 10 storeys. Upon reaching the ground floor, a New York police officer instructed them to keep their heads down and run past St Paul’s Chapel into Vesey Street. Ms Brooks looked back at 9:43 am to see a massive gaping hole where her office floor had been. Just 16 minutes later, at 9:59 am, the south tower collapsed.

The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people overall. Euro Brokers lost 61 employees at the New York branch—representing one-fifth of its local workforce. Ms Brooks and Mr Mahon survived, while numerous emergency responders, including firefighters, police, and Port Authority workers, perished inside the towers.

Continuing Legacy and Educational Outreach

Living in Norfolk with her dog Jesse, Ms Brooks acknowledges that a significant portion of the global population is now too young to remember the attacks, and notes that September 11 is not part of the standard British school curriculum. Through her work with the Since 9/11 charity, she delivers school talks to personalize the tragedy and honor those who died. Despite ongoing recurring nightmares, she persists in sharing her story to ensure the historical significance of the date is not forgotten by future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was Janice Brooks working on September 11, 2001?
She worked as an executive assistant for Euro Brokers located on the 84th floor of Two World Trade Center.

How many colleagues did Euro Brokers lose in the attacks?
The firm lost 61 employees at its New York branch, accounting for one-fifth of the office’s staff.

What organization does Ms Brooks currently work with to share her story?
She works with a charity named Since 9/11, giving talks at schools to educate younger generations about the significance of the attacks.

How do you believe personal testimonies shape our understanding of historical tragedies compared to textbook accounts?