John Cerqueira: Surviving the Towers | 9/11: We Remember | PBS North Carolina

Summary

John Cerqueira, a survivor of the 9/11 attacks, recounts his experience on the 81st floor of Tower One at the World Trade Center. He reflects on the events leading up to that day, the chaos during the attack, and his escape alongside a wheelchair-bound colleague. Witnessing the tragedy and bravery of first responders, John speaks about the shift in his life priorities—from career and fun to the value of love, relationships, and compassion. His story serves as a reminder of the humanity and unity that arose from such a tragic event.

Takeaways

• 🗽 John Cerqueira worked on the 81st floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks.
• 🏙️ He moved to New York in June 2001, drawn by the city's energy and professional opportunities.
• 🌞 The morning of September 11, 2001, was unusually cool and clear after a long heatwave.
• 💥 The impact of the first plane felt like a bomb, causing the building to sway and tiles to fall off the walls.
• 📞 John called his father briefly, who urged him to leave the building immediately.
• 🏃‍♂️ He helped evacuate coworkers, including a woman in a wheelchair, using an emergency evacuation chair.
• 👨‍🚒 Firefighters were exhausted and serious, giving a grim sense of the unfolding tragedy.
• 💔 He witnessed people jumping from the tower, a moment that starkly highlighted the horror of the situation.
• 🌪️ John and his boss narrowly escaped the collapse of the building, taking cover under vehicles as debris engulfed the area.
• 💖 The experience reshaped his priorities, shifting his focus from career ambitions to valuing love, relationships, and humanity.

Q & A

Who is John Cerqueira and what was his connection to the events of 9/11?

John Cerqueira worked on the 81st floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center, starting in June 2001. He was in the building during the 9/11 attacks and survived the event.

What was John’s motivation for moving to New York in June 2001?

John moved to New York because it seemed like a rite of passage, a step into adulthood and professionalism. He was drawn by the opportunities and excitement the city had to offer.

What was the atmosphere in New York leading up to 9/11, according to John?

John described the climate as marked by optimism, fueled by the dot-com boom. There was a sense of energy and upward momentum in the city.

What happened when the first plane hit Tower One, and where was John when it occurred?

When the first plane hit, John and a few coworkers were in the bathroom getting ready for the day. The impact felt like a bomb, with tiles flying off the walls and the building swaying.

How did John communicate with his father during the event?

John was able to briefly call his father after the first plane hit. His father urged him to get out of the building immediately.

Why did John and his boss go back up to the 68th floor after starting to descend?

John and his boss went back up to the 68th floor to help other people who were trapped, including a woman in a wheelchair. They assisted in evacuating her using an emergency wheelchair stored in the office.

What were John’s impressions of the firefighters he encountered while descending the stairwell?

John noticed the exhaustion and seriousness on the faces of the firefighters. While they didn't share much detail about the severity of the situation, their presence and demeanor indicated that things were dire.

What was John’s emotional response upon realizing people were jumping from the building?

John felt a profound sense of shock and sadness upon realizing that what he initially thought was debris falling from the building were actually people jumping to escape the fire. It was a gut-wrenching moment that made the severity of the situation fully hit him.

How did John and his boss survive the collapse of the tower?

John and his boss ran as fast as they could from the building as debris started to fall. John hid behind a van, while his boss took shelter under a firetruck. They managed to survive as the debris passed over them.

How did the events of 9/11 impact John’s priorities and outlook on life?

The events of 9/11 shifted John’s focus from career and fun to the importance of relationships, love, and humanity. He emphasized that love and compassion, especially shown by the first responders, represent the best of humanity.