Will Jimeno recounts survival under World Trade Center rubble

Will Jimeno, a retired Port Authority Police Department officer, has shared details regarding his survival during the September 11 attacks. Trapped beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center for approximately 13 hours, Jimeno was buried alongside his supervisor, Sgt. John McLoughlin.

Jimeno recalled the intense struggle to remain conscious, noting that McLoughlin warned him that falling asleep could lead to death. During the ordeal, Jimeno found strength in the hope of seeing the birth of his daughter, who was in utero at the time. He was one of only 20 people rescued from the wreckage that day. While Jimeno survived, McLoughlin did not.

The physical toll of the event resulted in Jimeno undergoing eight surgeries and leaving him with partial paralysis in his left leg. He now uses his experience to speak about the importance of remembrance and the resilience of the human spirit.