Posted on 09/12/2001 10:32:42 AM PDT by Jakarta ex-pat
A man managed to escape the World Trade Centre yesterday as it was hit by a hijacked jet, only to find out that his sister and young niece were on board, his family revealed today.
Irishman Ronnie Clifford fled after the first plane struck the twin towers in New York yesterday, and escaped the second tower as it was hit by the United Airlines Boeing 767.
In a devastating turn of events, his sister Ruth Clifford McCourt, 45, and her four-year-old daughter Juliana were passengers on the second plane - they died as he escaped.
Meanwhile, British officials in New York believe that at least 15 Britons may be among the missing in the devastated rubble of the World Trade Centre. Consular officials are currently liasing with emergency services to try to establish identities.
Mrs McCourt, originally from the Lough, Cork, was among 56 passengers on the hijacked plane which was travelling from Boston to Los Angeles.
Mr Clifford's brother, John, today told of their deaths and his brother's escape. John, also from Cork, said he began fearing for his sister and niece after discovering that his brother was safe.
He said: "Tragically my sister hit the tower building as my brother was on the ground floor. He's safe now. He's very traumatised."
John Clifford said he became concerned when the two buildings collapsed because he knew his brother worked in one. However, he later "phoned to say he made it, he was OK, traumatised, that he was within an inch of his life".
"He went through the front door on the ground floor and a lady was about three seconds in front of him. She was hit by a terrific fireball. She subsequently died," he added.
"He said that unfortunately, while he was okay, he had a feeling that his sister - my sister - had left Logan airport to go to Los Angeles with her daughter at around 7.30 in the morning.
"So we were then concerned that she may have been on either of the two flights that crashed into the towers, and that was confirmed," he said.
A friend of Mrs McCourt, who lived in Connecticut and was flying to LA for a few days' holiday, was also killed.
Mr Clifford said his sister's husband was absolutely devastated. Juliana was their only child. Mr Clifford said she was a "beautiful" girl and described his sister as "full of life".
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
When we find this snake, and we will, let us chop it into very small pieces with the name "Juliana" on our lips!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.