The Brief
- A Fort Worth couple who was in New York City on business survived the Sept. 11 attacks while staying on the 26th floor of the World Trade Center Marriott.
- Despite facing chaos, debris, and long-term health challenges, they recalled incredible acts of kindness from strangers that restored their faith in humanity.
- All six people in their business group survived the tragic day.
FORT WORTH, Texas – A Fort Worth couple shared their harrowing story of survival during the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York City, recalling both the horror of that day and the profound acts of kindness that followed.
Surviving the attacks
Renee Cottrell Brown and her husband, Eric Brown, were in New York on business for her father’s company, Pro-Line Hair Care Corporation.
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, the couple was on the top 26th floor of the World Trade Center Marriott, which was located between the Twin Towers.
Renee decided to skip her morning workout in the glass-encased gym directly above their room to order room service instead. Moments later, the building shook violently as a hijacked American Airlines jet slammed into the first tower.…