Chicago 911 Operator Reflects On Death Of Bin Laden
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Nearly 10 years ago, a Chicago area woman was thrust into history and the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.
She shared her thoughts about the death of Osama Bin Laden exclusively with Newsradio 780's Felicia Middlebrooks.
Lisa Jefferson, who lives in suburban Chicago, was the Verizon Airfone supervisor who took Todd Beamer's call aboard United Airlines Flight 93, the fourth hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania after terrorists had crashed two other planes into the World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon.
She learned of the news last night and was surprised. "The first thing I thought about is that it had to happen on the tenth anniversary of 9-11," she said.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Felicia Middlebrooks Reports
Podcast
Jefferson took over the call after another phone operator panicked and couldn't handle the emergency.
It was through that conversation that the world learned of the plan the passengers had to overthrow the hijackers before they could do further damage.
Those aboard Flight 93 had already learned of World Trade Center bombing through use of their cell phones aboard the plane. Beamer's last words were: "OK, Let's Roll". The plane crashed in Shanksville, Pa. Everyone aboard died.
Jefferson left Verizon in 2005, but she is still a much sought after speaker on 9-11 and she's received myriad awards as a hero.
She says Bin Laden will now have to face God for what he orchestrated. Her greatest concern: closure for the families of the victims.
Editor's note: Newsradio 780's Felicia Middlebrooks co-wrote a book with Lisa Jefferson entitled "Called: Hello, My Name Is Mrs. Jefferson. I understand Your Plane Is Being Hijacked"
