Rockland 9/11 victim to be made honorary FDNY FF

[res6cue 67]

Rockland 9/11 victim to be made honorary New York City firefighter

By Jane Lerner

The Journal News

(Original Publication: November 29, 2006)

UPPER NYACK - Welles Crowther, a civilian who became known as the "man in the red bandanna" for his heroism inside the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 attacks, will be made an honorary New York City firefighter at a special ceremony next month.

"I know Welles is sitting up there in Heaven with a big grin," his mother, Alison Crowther, said today. "It's such beautiful recognition for what he did."

Crowther, 24, of Upper Nyack, was an equities trader who worked on the 104th floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center.

He also was a longtime volunteer firefighter with Empire Hook & Ladder in Upper Nyack.

Survivors of the World Trade Center attacks said he used his training as a volunteer firefighter to help guide victims to safety, though they were trapped far above firefighters' reach that terrible morning.

He made numerous trips up and down the stairs of the burning tower to help other people escape before he met his own death when the building collapsed.

Read more about this story tomorrow in The Journal News.