2 men who crossed paths in the rubble at ground zero on 9/11 reunite 25 years later
Eugene Kowel and Will Jimeno, who unknowingly crossed paths during the 9/11 attacks, reunited 25 years later to reflect on their experiences of heroism and survival.
Eugene Kowel and Will Jimeno, whose lives intersected in the rubble of ground zero during the Sept. 11 attacks, reunited 25 years later to share their stories of resilience and survival.
Kowel, now the special agent in charge of the FBI Omaha office, was a prosecutor in New York City during the attacks.
He was just two weeks into his new job.
Jimeno, a Port Authority police officer, was among 20 officers who entered the south tower in the World Trade Center to retrieve equipment.
They were unaware that the tower had just been struck by a passenger airplane.
“As a Port Authority police officer, that’s what we did that day,” Jimeno said.
Kowel recalled his reaction in the moment.
“I immediately thought, ‘Well, let me go see if I can help,’” Kowel said.
Jimeno described the moment the second plane hit.
“We heard a humongous boom. I turned around and looked from where I had been walking from into the lobby of tower two through the big glass revolving doors, and unfortunately, I saw a humongous fireball,” Jimeno said. “I mean, the size of my house.”
As the towers collapsed, Jimeno and his sergeant, John McLaughlin, became trapped in the rubble.
“I was crushed at that point. I had a wall literally fall down on my left side from under my armpit and all the way down to the left side of my body,” Jimeno said.
Kowel, drawing on his experience as a volunteer firefighter, triaged victims at the scene.
“I remember there was one gentleman I was taking care of before the towers came down, who had a very massive wound,” he said.
Later that evening, Kowel learned that two Marines had discovered Jimeno and McLaughlin in the debris.
“Two Marines found where [Will] and his colleagues were, and when I saw that they found someone, I climbed down in the pile to where they were and just did everything I could to help dig Will and John out,” Kowel said.
Jimeno was freed after three hours, though McLaughlin’s rescue took until the next day.
“We were the only two to survive from underneath the World Trade Center,” Jimeno said.
The men were the only two Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police officers who survived after being trapped under the rubble.
Kowel reflected on the bravery he witnessed.
“Coming out of there was just a line of firefighters and police officers. I don’t think I put a hand down once,” he said.
Both men spoke about the lasting impact of 9/11 on their lives.
“It was just the overwhelming pride in my country, pride in seeing everyone in New York City and the entire country come together, both emergency workers and civilians,” Kowel said.
Jimeno echoed the sentiment.
“We’ve seen since 9/11 that there are good men and women that step up, and I’m proof of that. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have good men get into that hole and put their lives on the line,” he said.
Their reunion serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and unity that emerged from one of America’s darkest days.
