The people who were on the floors above the impacts were doomed. There was no escape for them. It was jump or be burned alive. Trust me, it was a gruesome and very scary scene -- even on the ground, four very short blocks away, where I was showered with tiny shards of slivers of glass. As numb as I was that morning, the jumpers still really got to me.
For what it is worth I have a strong opinion regarding those people who think some of these photos and threads are for morbid interest. Yes, looking at this - heck, just the knowledge of this all - is unthinkable. It is not comfy to look at or to envision. But it is REAL. It happened. We have to make ourselves look at the things we do not want to see.
I truly feel for your personal witnessing of this terrible event. Actually "terrible" isn't enough. But you know there are no words that can adequately describe these events. And when we feel how awful it is to remember that scene and to now look at these pictures how in the world can we dishonor those right in the middle of it all losing their very lives by shielding ourselves from this horror. I hate to look but I have to. We must always remember this and I know we will.
(PS...I LOVE New York City. I have always wanted to live there. G-d bless you.)