Broken Arrow 9/11 Survivor Reacts To Death Of Bin Laden

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- Word of bin Laden's death spread quickly around the world and brought back many memories of 9/11, from images of the planes crashing into the World Trade Centers to the black smoke billowing from the Pentagon and the crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

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An Oklahoman survived the attacks on New York City's Twin Towers, and he spoke to News On 6 about news of bin Laden's death.

September 11th is one historic event where almost everyone remembers where they were. When the south tower was hit, Broken Arrow's Donnie Duntley was near the 29th floor going down the long set of stairs.

"Yes. We felt it kind of sway to the side," he said.

Just 21-years-old, Duntley, a recent ORU grad, was in New York City training for his new career at Morgan Stanley.

"I was supposed to be there for three weeks. That was the second day," Duntley said.

He says after the tower swayed, people frantically started pushing to get down the stairs. He says it took about 40 minutes to get out.

After a six mile walk, his wife Andrea was the first person he called.

"So for two hours plus, she didn't know if we were at the bottom. She didn't know where we were. She knew we had gotten out but she didn't know how close we were when they fell. So, of course that was very scary for her," he said.

Like many 9/11 survivors, an uncomfortable feeling lingered once he made it back home to Oklahoma.

"At the beginning, some sort of guilt. Not sure why we made it out and a bunch of people didn't," he said.

Now, the mastermind behind that fateful day Osama Bin Laden is dead.

"Relief, just happy… Happy that he's dead. I think most people would agree that the world is a better place with him gone. It's a good thing for America and the world I think," Duntley stated.

Duntley says he and Andrea turned on the news and with the rest of the United States and watched the President's speech.

"I think she kinda looked at me. Hugged me. I think we both just clapped and I don't think we actually said anything," he said.

He says bin Laden's death is symbolic that we will stay vigilant.