In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen explore the harrowing survival stories from the South Tower during the 9/11 attacks. When United Airlines Flight 175 struck between floors 77-85, only one stairwell remained intact - Stairwell A. Faced with conflicting information and impossible choices, 18 people made the critical decision that saved their lives.

The episode follows the remarkable stories of Brian Clark, who risked his own escape to save a trapped stranger, and Stanley Praimnath, who survived the plane's wing slicing through his office.  Kaycee and Julie examine how split-second decisions, leadership under pressure, and trusting your instincts can mean the difference between life and death.

A powerful reminder that in our darkest moments, the choices we make and the compassion we show can change everything.

00:00  Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

00:28  The Harrowing Tale of Stairwell A

02:01  Brian Clark: A Leader in Crisis

02:57  The Twin Towers: Engineering Marvels and Vulnerabilities

03:53  The First Impact: North Tower Hit

05:05  A Fatal Announcement in the South Tower

07:22  The Second Impact: South Tower Hit

12:13  The Critical Decision: Up or Down?

15:40  A Miraculous Rescue Amidst Chaos

18:37  Brian and Stanley's Harrowing Escape

19:43  Ron DCO's Fateful Decision

21:18  The Descent Through Stairwell A

24:04  Reaching the Ground Floor

26:10  The Collapse of the South Tower

27:37  Ron De Francesco's Miraculous Survival

29:34  The Aftermath and Psychological Impact

32:37  Lessons Learned from 9/11

35:20  The Power of Human Connection

37:36  Reflections and Final Thoughts

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References for Stairwell A Episode

Primary Survivor Accounts

1. Brian Clark (September 11 survivor) - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Clark_(September_11_survivor)
   Detailed account of Clark's escape, the 81st floor decision point, and rescue of Stanley Praimnath


2. Stanley Praimnath - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Praimnath
   Account of seeing Flight 175 approaching, diving under desk, and rescue by Brian Clark


3. Canadian last known person to escape World Trade Center on 9/11 - TBNewsWatch.com
   https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/canadian-last-known-person-to-escape-world-trade-center-on-911-8660497
   Ron DiFrancesco's story as the last person to escape the South Tower


4. Final survivor of south tower collapse struggles with scars of 9/11 - Yahoo News
   https://www.yahoo.com/news/final-survivor-of-south-tower-collapse-struggles-with-scars-of-9-11.html
   Ron DiFrancesco's post-9/11 trauma and recovery

Official Documentation & Reports

1. 9/11 Commission Report/Chapter 9 - Wikisource
   https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/9/11_Commission_Report/Chapter_9
   Official government analysis of evacuations and emergency response


2. Casualties of the September 11 attacks - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_September_11_attacks
   Comprehensive data on casualties, survivors, and evacuation details


3. A timeline of the tragic events that unfolded on Sept 11, 2001 - Fox News
   https://www.foxnews.com/us/september-11-2001-timeline-events
   Includes exact wording of "Building Two is secure" announcement


4. Theta Chi Remembers: 9/11 Timeline
   https://www.thetachi.org/9-11-timeline
   Detailed timeline with specific announcement times and wording

Aircraft and Technical Details

1. United Airlines Flight 175 - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_175
   Boeing 767 specifications, fuel capacity, impact speed, and hijacker details


2. Collapse of the World Trade Center - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse_of_the_World_Trade_Center
   Technical details of impact zones, stairwell damage, and building collapse


3. Boeing 767 - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_767
   Aircraft specifications and technical details

Building Construction & Design

1. Construction of the World Trade Center - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_of_the_World_Trade_Center
   Tube-frame construction details, structural design, and stairwell layout


2. How was the construction of the World Trade Center unique? - HowStuffWorks
   https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/world-trade-center-construction-unique.htm
   "Tube within a tube" design explanation and structural innovations


3. World Trade Center (1973–2001) - Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center_(1973–2001)
   Comprehensive building specifications, including 236 perimeter columns and 47 core columns


4. The World Trade Center's Construction: 8 Surprising Facts - HISTORY
   https://www.history.com/articles/world-trade-center-twin-towers-construction-facts
   Revolutionary structural design and construction innovations

Evacuation Analysis

1. How the Design of the World Trade Center Claimed Lives on 9/11 - HISTORY
   https://www.history.com/articles/world-trade-center-stairwell-design-9-11
   Analysis of stairwell design, evacuation challenges, and Stairwell A survival


2. September 11: Escaping the South Tower and a Framework of Surviving an Infrastructure Disaster - HS Today
   https://www.hstoday.us/featured/september-11-escaping-the-south-tower-and-a-framework-of-surviving-an-infrastructure-disaster/
   Kevin Dorrian's escape account and survival analysis


3. 14 individuals survived the collapse of the north tower by taking shelter in Stairwell B - Fox News
   https://www.foxnews.com/us/stairwell-b-story-14-survivors-north-tower-9-11
   Context on North Tower Stairwell B survivors for comparison

Emergency Response & Aftermath

1. Surviving in stairwell B: A Port Authority officer's story - Police1
   https://www.police1.com/september-11/articles/surviving-in-stairwell-b-a-port-authority-officers-story-of-survival-after-steel-concrete-came-crashing-down-on-him-during-the-world-trade-centers-north-tower-collapse-WZGuq2qQBiN5HV1u/
   Emergency responder perspective and rescue operations


2. Timeline for United Airlines Flight 175 - NPR
   https://www.npr.org/2004/06/17/1962517/timeline-for-united-airlines-flight-175
   Official timeline of Flight 175 hijacking and impact

Documentaries Referenced

1. BBC docudrama "9/11: The Twin Towers" (2006)
   Featured Brian Clark and Stanley Praimnath's story


2. National Geographic "9/11: One Day in America" (2021)
   Documentary featuring multiple survivor accounts


3. "United by 9/11" (2006)<