Blind 9/11 Survivor Recalls Harrowing Escape from the North Tower With Guide Dog

On September 11, 2001, Michael Hingson was settling into his office on the 78th floor of the North Tower. His guide dog, Roselle, rested beneath his desk. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building 18 floors above, shaking the tower so hard that Hingson and his colleague thought it might collapse. The building swayed, then righted itself. Roselle wagged her tail, showing no fear — a signal to Hingson that they could evacuate calmly.

Guided Descent Through Chaos

Hingson, blind since birth, relied on his deep knowledge of the building’s layout and Roselle’s steady guidance. He called his wife to say he was leaving, then helped escort colleagues and guests to Stairwell B. Smoke and the pungent smell of jet fuel filled the air. At the 50th floor, panic threatened to take hold when his colleague feared they wouldn’t survive. Hingson snapped back, “If Roselle and I can get down these stairs, so can you,” according to

The group paused at one point to comfort a woman struggling to breathe. Roselle offered gentle kisses that encouraged her to keep going, notes. Firefighters climbing toward the flames paused to give Roselle a quick pat — moments of humanity in a grim ascent.

Escape Into the Streets

After descending 1,463 steps, they reached the lobby. Debris was falling outside, so officials directed them through an alternate exit. On the street, they saw the South Tower burning. Moments later came a deep rumble — the sound of its collapse. Dust and debris filled the air. Roselle led Hingson to the stairs of a subway station, stopping to signal the drop. They descended into cleaner air as chaos raged above.

Minutes after they emerged, the North Tower fell. A cloud of dust rolled through Lower Manhattan, but Roselle guided Hingson safely away, eventually leading him 40 blocks to a friend’s apartment, reports.

Nearly 3,000 people died in the 9/11 attacks. Roselle died in 2011 at the age of 14.

Life After 9/11

Roselle’s calm under pressure made her a national symbol of loyalty and courage. She received the American Kennel Club’s Award for Canine Excellence in 2002. Off-duty, she was playful and affectionate. But on the job, she was all business. Hingson later worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind and became a best-selling author, sharing their story worldwide.

Roselle developed a blood disorder in 2004, which Hingson believes may have been linked to toxic dust from that day. She lived seven more years, passing away peacefully in 2011 at age 14, with Hingson by her side, reports.

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“It was my job to know where to go, and her job to get me there safely,” he said .