9/11 Survivor

Nobody needs to be reminded of the horrific catastrophe that was September 11, 2001. And while everyone is aware of the awful deaths that took place on that day, very few people are aware of the tales of the people who overcame all odds to survive under such extraordinary circumstances.

Pasquale Buzzelli, a structural engineer who is 34 years old, was one such survivor. At ten in the morning on September 11, he was working in his office, which was on the 64th floor of the North Tower. Together with the rest, he attempted to flee the building, but only made it as far as the 22nd level before the stairs slid beneath him and the building started to quake. He ducked into a corner, hoping for the best, as he could hear items falling to the ground above him.

He felt like he was falling as the walls practically fell on top of him. Keep in mind that he is now on the 22nd story of the North Tower. The next thing he realized, it was two hours later, and he was 180 feet lower than when he had started, on a sizable slab of concrete.

He was still alive despite the smoke, dust, and flames all around him. His leg ached, reminding him that he was still alive in some way. He began yelling for assistance while wearing his shirt as a mask. He was heard by a firefighter nearby.

He was rescued from the flames and the wreckage, and miraculously, his only injury was a fractured foot. Since he was one of only 42 persons we are aware of who survived the collapse, the mental damage was deeper and it took longer to recover. Still, his incredible story of survival was truly exceptional.