Nearly nine months later, two references in a New York Times article to a “mysterious man in a red kerchief”caught the eye of Welles’ mother. She was able to contact eyewitnesses, Judy Wein and Ling Young, who, through photographs, confirmed that Welles was indeed the man with the red bandanna who had saved their lives and many others that day. Making multiple trips between the South Tower’s 78th floor Sky Lobby and clear air at the 61st floor, Welles found, carried and escorted victims down the only stairwell that remained passable after a hijacked Boeing 767, United Airlines Flight #175, struck the South Tower at 9:03 am. When he finally reached the ground floor lobby he remained with members of the FDNY at the Command Center. They lost their lives when the tower collapsed.
Welles was recovered on the 19th of March, 2002 with the incident command center personnel of the FDNY. The Crowther family learned nearly three years later, that the men were on their way back up the South Tower with a Hurst “jaws of life” tool, to free victims trapped under debris, when the building collapsed. On December 15, 2006, Welles was made, posthumously, an honorary member of the FDNY.
The Crowther family established The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust to honor Welles’ memory through scholarships and support of organizations that assist young people in their pursuit of excellence. The work of the trust is made possible through the generosity of others; donations and participation in very special fund-raising events. We hope that you will help us carry on Welles’ legacy.