FDNY firefighter miraculously survived both towers falling down on 9/11. After years of health issues, he took his own life

A retired firefighter who miraculously survived the devastation of 9/11 has died by suicide after suffering trauma from the attack for decades.

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Dunn had been a firefighter for less than a year when two hijacked passenger jets crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. 

The new recruit had been busy that fateful morning on an EMS call and had just returned to his station in Brooklyn when the first plane hit the North Tower. 

After rushing to the scene, Tommy had been walking directly toward the South Tower when it came crashing down over lower Manhattan. 

Consumed by the thick smoke, Tommy pushed on – going on to give out his own oxygen supply to those caught in the smog. 

After the dust had settled, Tommy spent months working on the pile as he helped his fellow first responders dig out victims of the horrific attack. 

On Saturday, Tommy took his own life after years of struggling with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a direct consequence of 9/11, which also caused him to develop asthma.

His death was confirmed by the New York City Fire Department’s Family Assistance Unit who shared a tribute to Dunn to their social media pages.  

The new recruit had been busy that fateful morning on an EMS call, and had just returned to his station in Brooklyn when the first plane hit the north tower

They said: ‘It is with deep regret the department announced the passing of retired Firefighter Thomas Dunn, Engine company E234, who succumbed to a WTC-related illness on Saturday, February 01, 2025.

‘FF Dunn served our great department with honor and dedication for 7 years; answering the call when his city needed him most. 

‘A private service will be held in Florida. May his memory be a blessing and may his soul rest in eternal peace.’

His uncle Vince Dunn was a former commander in the Fire Department of New York, having served for over 40 decades. 

Speaking with DailyMail.com, Vince recalled: ‘He was a great kid, I always thought he was going to go up the ranks.

‘There was something about Tommy, there was something there that was special. It’s just tragic. 

‘He’s probably more at peace now than he was before,’ Vince said, adding that Tommy was found dead at a local park.

Vince said that he had lost contact with Tommy after having to give up his post as a firefighter once he was diagnosed as asthmatic. 

Dunn, pictured here during the blackout of 2003, 

Firefighter Gerard McGibbon, of Engine 283 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, prays after the World Trade Center buildings collapsed September 11, 2001

On September 11, 2001, conspirators from al-Qaida seized control of airplanes and hit New York’s World Trade Center, seen here, and the Pentagon near Washington

He added: ‘I feel sorry for the life he had to live after 9/11, it’s tough. Everybody [in the fire service] has PTSD, especially those that survived 9/11. They are in a different ball game. He had it I’m sure.’

Speaking with ABC News in 2002, Tommy had recounted his experience on September 11. 

He said: ‘You’re at the foot of the towers, and you’re looking up, and that’s when it hits you. You realize the magnitude of the fire, it’s more like a warzone.’

Speaking with ABC News in 2002, Dunn had recounted his experience on September 11

Recalling the collapse of the south tower, he said: ‘I looked up and could very clearly see the entire top section of the tower had collapsed and was falling on us.

‘Everyone separated, scattered, I had maybe eight to ten seconds of running time and it overtook you. 

‘I fell down, but I don’t remember stopping. Everybody was already beginning to gag and cough from the debris in the air.

‘I remember just cursing over and over again, I didn’t know what else to do. The radios were full of maydays.’

The Uniformed Firefighters Association said in a statement: ‘The UFA extends its deepest condolences to the family of retired Firefighter Thomas Dunn of E234, who passed away due to a WTC-related illness. 

‘Thomas served the FDNY with honor and dedication, answering the call when his city needed him most. 

On Saturday, Tommy, seen here in a more recent picture, took his own life after years of struggling with PTSD as a direct consequence of 9/11

Smoke pours from the twin towers of the World Trade Center after they were hit by two hijacked airliners

‘His family has already endured great loss, as his brother, FF Jimmy Dunn of L114, passed away eight years ago.

‘Please keep his father and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. A private service will be held in Florida.’

Some of Tommy’s colleagues reacted to the news of his passing by sharing messages of condolences. 

Joseph Pasquarello wrote: ‘On 9/11 I met Tommy as we survived the collapse of the South Tower by making it down the parking ramp on Albany Street.

‘Tommy was just out of the Academy and conducted himself as a seasoned professional. He was helping people before the debris stopped landing.

‘Tommy, you did good. Rest easy brother and may god bless you and may his perpetual light shine upon you.’

In a later comment, Paquarello confirmed that Tommy had supplied his own mask and air for the two to escape the rubble – with Tommy also sharing his mask with civilians.

Peter Blaich added: ‘It seems like yesterday we were turning out and fighting fires. I will have a toast tonight to all the brothers from Schenectady Avenue, for working with you was indeed an honor.’ 

Another commented: ‘I had the pleasure of working with Tommy in E-240 before we both moved. Great guy, loved the job. Rest easy my brother.’

In September of last year, the FDNY confirmed that there were 370 members of the service that had died in the years following the al Qaeda attack, more than the 343 firefighters that died on 9/11. 

An examination of the dust and other hazards at the disaster site found ‘numerous toxic substances’ that caused short and long-term health conditions, and the contaminants remained in Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn for months after 9/11, according to the CDC.