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
Brian Clark (September 11 survivor) - Wikipediahttps://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
Stanley Praimnath - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Praimnath
Account of seeing Flight 175 approaching, diving under desk, and rescue by Brian Clark
Canadian last known person to escape World Trade Center on 9/11 - TBNewsWatch.comhttps://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
Final survivor of south tower collapse struggles with scars of 9/11 - Yahoo Newshttps://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
9/11 Commission Report/Chapter 9 - Wikisourcehttps://en.wikisource.org/wiki/9/11_Commission_Report/Chapter_9
Official government analysis of evacuations and emergency response
Casualties of the September 11 attacks - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_September_11_attacks
Comprehensive data on casualties, survivors, and evacuation details
A timeline of the tragic events that unfolded on Sept 11, 2001 - Fox Newshttps://www.foxnews.com/us/september-11-2001-timeline-events
Includes exact wording of "Building Two is secure" announcement
Theta Chi Remembers: 9/11 Timelinehttps://www.thetachi.org/9-11-timeline
Detailed timeline with specific announcement times and wording
Aircraft and Technical Details
United Airlines Flight 175 - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_175
Boeing 767 specifications, fuel capacity, impact speed, and hijacker details
Collapse of the World Trade Center - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse_of_the_World_Trade_Center
Technical details of impact zones, stairwell damage, and building collapse
Boeing 767 - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_767
Aircraft specifications and technical details
Building Construction & Design
Construction of the World Trade Center - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_of_the_World_Trade_Center
Tube-frame construction details, structural design, and stairwell layout
How was the construction of the World Trade Center unique? - HowStuffWorkshttps://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/world-trade-center-construction-unique.htm
"Tube within a tube" design explanation and structural innovations
World Trade Center (1973–2001) - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center_(1973–2001)
Comprehensive building specifications, including 236 perimeter columns and 47 core columns
The World Trade Center's Construction: 8 Surprising Facts - HISTORYhttps://www.history.com/articles/world-trade-center-twin-towers-construction-facts
Revolutionary structural design and construction innovations
How the Design of the World Trade Center Claimed Lives on 9/11 - HISTORYhttps://www.history.com/articles/world-trade-center-stairwell-design-9-11
Analysis of stairwell design, evacuation challenges, and Stairwell A survival
September 11: Escaping the South Tower and a Framework of Surviving an Infrastructure Disaster - HS Todayhttps://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
14 individuals survived the collapse of the north tower by taking shelter in Stairwell B - Fox Newshttps://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
Surviving in stairwell B: A Port Authority officer's story - Police1https://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
Timeline for United Airlines Flight 175 - NPRhttps://www.npr.org/2004/06/17/1962517/timeline-for-united-airlines-flight-175
Official timeline of Flight 175 hijacking and impact
BBC docudrama "9/11: The Twin Towers" (2006)Featured Brian Clark and Stanley Praimnath's story
National Geographic "9/11: One Day in America" (2021)Documentary featuring multiple survivor accounts
"United by 9/11" (2006)Documentary chronicling various survivor stories
