AN East Lancashire man caught up in the terrorist attack in America told today of his terrifying efforts to escape the collapsing North tower of New York's World Trade Centre.
Foreign Office worker Dermot Finch, 33, was attending a meeting in an annex of the doomed tower when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 Boeing 767 smashed into it leaving thousands dead.
And today Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw said of his colleague: "I am absolutely delighted for him and for his family.
"It's one piece of good news in what is otherwise a desperate tragedy for everyone.
"It does bring home how this dreadful act of terrorism affects, directly and indirectly, British people and the UK."
After escaping the falling rubble that entombed thousands, Dermot called his father, Wilf, at the family home in Hollin Hall Farm, Clitheroe to say: "Dad - I'm alive".
Speaking from his home in Washington, Dermot said he was sitting down to breakfast in his room at a hotel connected to the World Trade Centre when he heard the first plane crash into the tower above him.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article