The short version
- Paul Berriff filmed the collapse of the South Tower before being buried under rubble at the epicenter of the attacks.
- He survived the immediate devastation but was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis three years ago, a condition linked to toxic dust inhalation.
- His case highlights the long-term health consequences for thousands of first responders and civilians exposed to hazardous materials on September 11, 2001.
Paul Berriff, an eighty-year-old documentary filmmaker and photographer, has recounted his harrowing experience at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, revealing that he is now facing a terminal illness directly linked to the toxic environment of that day. Living in New York City at the time, Berriff was working as a sound recordist and assistant producer when news broke that an aircraft had struck the Twin Towers. Initially assuming it might be a small plane or helicopter, his professional instincts compelled him to head toward the scene after contacting his wife, who described chaos and emergency vehicles in Lower Manhattan.
As Berriff approached the site with his colleague Lulu, they observed both towers engulfed in flames. The severity of the situation became apparent when they saw figures falling from the buildings. They reached the base of the towers just as Assistant Fire Commissioner Steve Gregory was directing firefighters into the structure. Moments later, Berriff witnessed the South Tower begin to disintegrate, describing the top section peeling away like a massive umbrella opening. Despite shouts from firefighters urging everyone to flee, he remained focused on capturing the event through his camera’s viewfinder.
The collapse occurred with devastating speed. Berriff recalled seeing two hundred fifty thousand tonnes of metal and girders descending toward him before he and Lulu began to run. He lost consciousness for approximately thirty-five minutes during which time the second tower also fell. Upon waking, he found himself buried under rubble in total darkness, struggling to breathe amidst cement dust and heat. His trousers were burning, and his mouth was filled with debris. After crawling out of what he described as a hellish void, he emerged into a landscape transformed from color to black and white.
Berriff realized Lulu was missing and returned to the area where he had been trapped. He discovered her sound mixer and his camera, which he retrieved before heading back to their apartment block. Lulu had been rescued by fire officers who led her to safety in an underground garage, sparing her from the direct impact. It was only then that Berriff noticed blood covering his back, indicating serious injury. His wife accompanied him to a hospital where medical staff decontaminated him as a precaution against potential biological threats such as anthrax or other toxic chemicals that terrorists might have deployed.
In the immediate aftermath, Berriff and his wife lacked keys or personal belongings and stayed with a nurse whose husband provided clothing. Berriff retained his camera throughout the ordeal and later reviewed the footage, which captured the moments leading up to the collapse. He visited Ground Zero again while search operations were still underway, witnessing the extent of the devastation firsthand. Police later indicated that he was likely the first living person found at the epicenter of the destruction.
Decades after the attacks, Berriff has turned his attention to humanitarian work, founding the Humber Rescue lifeboat charity in 1989 and establishing a lifeboat station on the Humber bank six years later. His efforts earned him an OBE in 2016, and volunteers now respond to over one hundred callouts annually. However, the physical toll of September 11 has persisted. Berriff noted that many survivors believed they had escaped unscathed until illnesses began to manifest three or four years ago.
The delayed onset of disease is attributed to the inhalation of a toxic cloud containing body parts, glass, aviation fuel, and other hazardous materials. This mixture remained dormant in their systems for twenty years before causing fatal conditions. Berriff was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis three years ago, a progressive lung disease that scarring tissue makes breathing difficult. His consultant estimated he has five years to live, a prognosis that came as a shock given his survival of the initial catastrophe.
Berriff’s experience is not isolated. According to the 9/11 Memorial, tens of thousands of people have been diagnosed with illnesses connected to the attacks. These health issues underscore the long-term consequences of exposure to the toxic dust and debris released during the collapse of the Twin Towers. As survivors age, the connection between their presence at Ground Zero and subsequent medical diagnoses becomes increasingly clear, highlighting a hidden chapter of the tragedy that continues to unfold.
The story of Paul Berriff serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of September 11, 2001. While he managed to document one of the most significant events in modern history and survive the immediate destruction, the invisible threat of toxic exposure has proven equally deadly. His journey from capturing the collapse to facing a terminal diagnosis illustrates the complex legacy of the attacks, affecting not only those who died that day but also those who lived through it.
As the twenty-fifth anniversary approaches, Berriff’s account adds depth to the understanding of 9/11’s aftermath. It emphasizes the need for continued support and medical monitoring for survivors who may still be grappling with health issues stemming from their exposure. The narrative shifts from immediate heroism and survival to a slower, more insidious battle against disease, reflecting the multifaceted nature of trauma and its long-term effects on individuals and communities.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗'I survived the epicentre of 9/11 - I'm so lucky'
