Reply #35: WTC TASK FORCE INTERVIEW FIREFIGHTER EDWARD SHEEHEY [View All]

[Klimmer]

(My comments in parentheses: Sheehey heard an explosion before the South Tower started to collapse . . .)

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20050812_WTC_GRAPHIC/Sheehey_Edward.txt

"Q. Where exactly were you when the south tower collapsed?

A. We were proceeding across West Street. We were probably maybe 25 yards from the command post.

Q. South of the command post?

A. Straight across from it, going in towards the south tower. We were probably just at West Street, just at the street. Then the south tower -- we heard an explosion, looked up, and the building started to collapse.

We dropped all our tools and gear, and we turned around. There was a parking garage to the right of the command post, so we ran down into the parking garage."

(Mayday distress calls just before the collapses---why? Could this be due to more complications from unexpected explosions going off? That could be a possibility but not conclusive.)

"Q. Did you hear any emergency transmissions on the handy talky? Did you have a handy talky?

A. No, I didn¹t have a handy talky.

Q. Did you hear anything being next to
anybody?

A. I heard maydays. As we were at the command post, we heard maydays. I couldn¹t make out what they were for.

Q. Was this before the collapse or after?

A. Before the collapse. Then after the collapse I heard -‹ we looked for someone with a radio, and we found a captain from another engine company. I couldn¹t tell you what company he was from. He was looking for the rest of his men, and he had a handy talky. He said if he heard them calling for us he would let us know. I heard a couple of maydays on his handy talky but couldn¹t make out who was giving them or where they were."