The Crowthers: A Short Story
NEW YORK (CNN) -- They sat bloody and petrified -- the lights out, smoke engulfing the room and pain searing through their bodies. There was no escape from where they were in the South Tower, in pieces after being hit by United Airlines Flight 175 as far as they could tell.
Then out of nowhere, a young man burst in and took control. In a strong, authoritative voice, he directed them to the stairway -- which was veiled by darkness, wreckage and haze -- telling the injured to get out and the healthy to help them down.
"I see this incredible hero, running back and forth and saving the day," recalled Judy Wein. "In his mind, he had a duty to do -- to save people."
"He's definitely my guardian angel -- no ifs, ands or buts -- because without …show more content…
Allison talked with Wein on the phone, then met with Young days later. One early summer Sunday, both women and their families went to the Crowthers' house for a picnic.
While they're recovering from their physical injuries, both say the pure, powerful connection with the Crowthers has expedited their psychological recovery.
"It does help me put myself in a lot more peaceful mind than I used to be, especially now meeting his family, who are like our extended family," said Young. "It really helped me tremendously, and helped me heal a little bit more, at least mentally."
For the Crowthers, the details of Welles' final minutes reaffirmed their belief in his kindness and courage.
And they are committed to making sure his life, and death, were not in vain.
Jeff Crowther hopes his son's story will inspire people to become a volunteer firefighter, to give money to the homeless every day like Welles did, to set goals and follow through.
"If Welles' story helps people to think of others then God bless them, God bless him," said his father.
"He didn't live long enough to be head of a corporation or do good works or endow a museum. But what he did on September 11, that's his legacy."
-- CNN correspondents Greg Botelho and Maria Hinojosa contributed to this report.
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Then out of nowhere, a young man burst in and took control. In a strong, authoritative voice, he directed them to the stairway -- which was veiled by darkness, wreckage and haze -- telling the injured to get out and the healthy to help them down.
"I see this incredible hero, running back and forth and saving the day," recalled Judy Wein. "In his mind, he had a duty to do -- to save people."
"He's definitely my guardian angel -- no ifs, ands or buts -- because without …show more content…
Allison talked with Wein on the phone, then met with Young days later. One early summer Sunday, both women and their families went to the Crowthers' house for a picnic.
While they're recovering from their physical injuries, both say the pure, powerful connection with the Crowthers has expedited their psychological recovery.
"It does help me put myself in a lot more peaceful mind than I used to be, especially now meeting his family, who are like our extended family," said Young. "It really helped me tremendously, and helped me heal a little bit more, at least mentally."
For the Crowthers, the details of Welles' final minutes reaffirmed their belief in his kindness and courage.
And they are committed to making sure his life, and death, were not in vain.
Jeff Crowther hopes his son's story will inspire people to become a volunteer firefighter, to give money to the homeless every day like Welles did, to set goals and follow through.
"If Welles' story helps people to think of others then God bless them, God bless him," said his father.
"He didn't live long enough to be head of a corporation or do good works or endow a museum. But what he did on September 11, that's his legacy."
-- CNN correspondents Greg Botelho and Maria Hinojosa contributed to this report.
Back to