As 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks approaches, ABC7 Chicago remembers local impact
CHICAGO (WLS) -- As the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 approaches this Friday, ABC7 Chicago is remembering some of the local impact.
Wheaton Academy graduate Todd Beamer died when Flight 93 crashed into a Pennsylvania field.
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Beamer was aboard United Flight 93. The plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after he and other passengers apparently fought the hijackers for control. Using a phone on the back of plane seat, Beamer reached GTE supervisor Lisa Jefferson and told her about the plan.
Jefferson says Beamer's last words were "Are you guys ready? Let's roll."
"Whenever you think of 'Let's roll,' make sure it's your call to action to do the right thing, whatever it happens to be," said David Beamer.
Keating Crown lives in Chicago with his wife, but on Sept. 11, 2001, he was in New York, working for Aon. He was on the 100th floor of the South Tower when the North Tower was hit. He immediately started to evacuate, and made it to the 78th floor before the second plane crashed into the South Tower.
"It was a massive explosion. The same smoke that was seen outside the building was seen inside the building also, but I happened to be in one square-foot that I was able to survive the impact and then escape," Crown said.
Crown says he is one of 12 survivors from the 78th floor. He escaped down a stairwell.
"I remember it also being very orderly. The stairwells were clear of smoke, water and fire. People acted just as they were taught in grade school -- to follow single file in an orderly fashion and evacuate," Crown said.
Crown's left leg was broken. He was cut and bruised.
"What I think about today is the paramedics and doctors that helped me on the ground up until my ambulance pulled away and our building collapsing shortly thereafter, and they didn't make it," Crown said.
