Last Person Pulled Alive From the World Trade Center Rubble Says 27 Hours Trapped Led Her to GodTwenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, Genelle Guzman-McMillan’s extraordinary story of survival continues to stand out as one of the most remarkable accounts from Ground Zero.Guzman-McMillan was working for the Port Authority on the 64th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower when it collapsed.Buried beneath concrete and steel, she remained trapped for approximately 27 hours before rescuers finally reached her. She became the last person pulled alive from the rubble.But Guzman-McMillan has said something deeper also happened during those hours in darkness.Believing she might die, she began praying and asking God for mercy and another chance at life. She has said she had drifted away from faith before 9/11, but while trapped beneath the wreckage, she cried out to God.Near the end of her ordeal, Guzman-McMillan says she felt someone take her hand.She remembers a man identifying himself as “Paul,” reassuring her that she would be okay and that rescuers were coming.Afterward, she tried to discover who Paul was, but never found him. Rescue workers reportedly did not identify anyone by that name with her, leading Guzman-McMillan to believe the mysterious presence may have been an angel sent by God. That remains her personal interpretation of what happened.Following her rescue, Guzman-McMillan said her relationship with God changed dramatically.She underwent multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery, but later embraced Christianity more deeply, was baptized and began publicly sharing her testimony.For her, surviving 9/11 was not simply escaping death.It was a second chance.As America marks 25 years since September 11, 2001, her story remains both a remarkable account of survival and, in her own words, a testimony of faith, prayer and God’s mercy.“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:13May we continue to remember the 2,977 people killed in the September 11 attacks, along with their families, survivors and first responders whose lives were forever changed.Last Person Pulled Alive From the World Trade Center Rubble Says 27 Hours Trapped Led Her to GodTwenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, Genelle Guzman-McMillan’s extraordinary story of survival continues to stand out as one of the most remarkable accounts from Ground Zero.Guzman-McMillan was working for the Port Authority on the 64th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower when it collapsed.Buried beneath concrete and steel, she remained trapped for approximately 27 hours before rescuers finally reached her. She became the last person pulled alive from the rubble.But Guzman-McMillan has said something deeper also happened during those hours in darkness.Believing she might die, she began praying and asking God for mercy and another chance at life. She has said she had drifted away from faith before 9/11, but while trapped beneath the wreckage, she cried out to God.
Near the end of her ordeal, Guzman-McMillan says she felt someone take her hand.She remembers a man identifying himself as “Paul,” reassuring her that she would be okay and that rescuers were coming.Afterward, she tried to discover who Paul was, but never found him. Rescue workers reportedly did not identify anyone by that name with her, leading Guzman-McMillan to believe the mysterious presence may have been an angel sent by God. That remains her personal interpretation of what happened.Following her rescue, Guzman-McMillan said her relationship with God changed dramatically.She underwent multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery, but later embraced Christianity more deeply, was baptized and began publicly sharing her testimony.For her, surviving 9/11 was not simply escaping death.It was a second chance.As America marks 25 years since September 11, 2001, her story remains both a remarkable account of survival and, in her own words, a testimony of faith, prayer and God’s mercy.“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:13May we continue to remember the 2,977 people killed in the September 11 attacks, along with their families, survivors and first responders whose lives were forever changed.
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.