Stranger Saves Woman's Life in 9/11 Attack: A Hero Emerges from Chaos

Debbie St John was just another face in the crowd on that fateful day, heading to work as a consultant for American Express at the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, she was struck by debris from the airplane that hit the second tower, leaving her with catastrophic injuries.

She recalls being held by a stranger, Stefan Horlacher, a German bond trader who worked two blocks away. He risked his life to save hers, and in doing so, became an unlikely hero.

'I was trying to protect her from the stampede of people running past and the pieces of debris still coming down,' Stefan remembered. 'She was basically naked as her clothes had been ripped off.'

Debbie's injuries were severe, with punctured intestines, no skin or muscle on her buttocks and legs that were shattered from the knee down. She spent 18 months in hospital undergoing 50 operations.

Years later, Debbie and Stefan were reunited for a documentary about survivors of the 9/11 attacks. The encounter was described as 'a magic moment' by Stefan, who said he felt an enormous sense of relief and closure.