Blind 9/11 Survivor Shares How the North Tower Tipped Before Straightening Back Up

A Personal Account of the Tragic Events of September 11, 2001

In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, stories of heroism and survival emerged amidst the tragedy. One such story is that of Michael Hingson, a blind man who worked as a computer specialist on the 78th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On that fateful morning, Hingson was working in his office when the first plane struck the North Tower. Despite his blindness, Hingson was able to navigate the smoke-filled and debris-strewn stairwells with the help of his guide dog, Roselle.

The Tower's Unsettling Movement

As Hingson and Roselle made their way down the stairs, they encountered a horrifying phenomenon. The North Tower began to sway violently, and Hingson felt a sensation of the building tipping over.

"It felt like the whole building was going to fall over," Hingson recalled. "I could feel the building moving beneath my feet, and I thought, 'This is it. We're going to die.'"

To Hingson's astonishment, the tower suddenly straightened back up, defying the laws of physics and gravity. Hingson and Roselle continued their descent, eventually reaching safety.

A Harrowing Escape

Hingson's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the extraordinary bond between a man and his faithful companion. His account of the North Tower's unsettling movement provides a unique perspective on the harrowing events of that tragic day.