The photograph, one of a series of the man’s fall, was published in many newspapers the next day but there was so much criticism of its publication, mostly charges of exploitation and voyeurism, that it wasn’t published again for a long time. It is published here with the utmost respect for all those who died in the attack that day and their families and friends.

The man has never been identified although many theories have been offered. Most believe that he worked at Windows of the World, a restaurant on the 107th and top floor of the North Tower.

Drew’s photograph, however, could be seen as a memorial to all those who died in the attack, similar, in some ways, to the tomb of the unknown soldier. It has since become symbolic of the tragedy that occurred that day and must certainly grip the heart of anyone who sees it and tries to comprehend what it must have felt like to be forced into making a decision whether to choke in the heat and smoke or jump.

Richard Drew was present at another well publicised incident in Los Angeles in 1968 when he witnessed the assassination of Senator Robert F Kennedy.