'UNIQUE TALENT'
Ex-CNN anchor Aaron Brown who broke 9/11 atrocity live on air dies at 76 as tributes pour in
His first day on the job at CNN was 9/11
FORMER CNN news anchor Aaron Brown has died at the age of 76, his family has said.
The journalist, who rose to fame for his coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks that left more than 2,900 dead, died on Sunday.
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Brown’s journalism career spanned decades as he worked in local news before anchoring ABC’s overnight show World News Now.
He joined in June 2001, and his first day on the air was on September 11 that year.
Brown actually started presenting his coverage earlier than planned.
He was hailed for his composure as chaos unfolded around him when the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.
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Smoke was seen billowing into the New York City skyline while Brown remained calm, explaining to viewers what had happened.
"The South Tower, the second tower," Brown said.
"The one on the left collapsed. It collapsed in a cascade of smoke and sparks."
He explained that around 50,000 people worked in the World Trade Center buildings.
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The South Tower collapsed at 9:59am on September 11- around 50 minutes after United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the structure.
The North Tower collapsed around 30 minutes after the South Tower crumpled.
Brown was on the air reporting for 17 hours on the day of 9/11.
A decade on, he recalled how he was feeling.
"I know I was exhilarated, which I know will sound strange, but it's what I had prepared my life to do, " he told Guy Raz, the All Things Considered host, in 2011.
Popular CNN host Anderson Cooper has led the tributes in light of Brown’s death.
9/11 timeline of events
On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda operatives coordinated a terrorist attack against the United States, hijacking four commerical airplanes and crashing them into the Twin Towers and Pentagon.
Timeline:
- 5:45 am: Two hijackers get through security in Portland, Maine, and board a flight to Boston, where they will link up with three more hijackers and check in for American Airlines Flight 11 to Los Angeles.
- 7:59 am: American Airlines Flight 11 takes off. The plane is carrying 76 passengers, 11 crew members, and five hijackers.
- 8:15 am: United Airlines Flight 175, carrying 51 passengers, nine crew, and five hijackers, takes off from Boston to Los Angeles.
- 8:20 am: American Airlines Flight 77 takes off from Washington DC Dulles to Los Angeles. The plane is carrying 53 passengers, six crew members, and five hijackers.
- 8:42 am: United Airlines Flight 93 takes off from Newark. The plane is carrying 33 passengers, seven crew members, and four hijackers. The flight was bound for San Francisco.
- 8:46 am: Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
- 9:03 am: Flight 175 hits the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
- 9:36 am: Vice President Dick Cheney is evacuated by Secret Service agents to an undisclosed location.
- 9:37 am: Flight 77 hits the Pentagon building in Washington DC.
- 9:45 am: The US Capitol and White House are both evacuated.
- 9:59 am: The South Tower is the first to collapse after burning for around 56 minutes.
- 10:03 am: United Airlines flight 93 crashes into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The passengers and crew got together and stormed the cockpit of the hijacked plane. All on board are killed.
- 10:28 am: The North Tower collapses.
- 8:30 pm: President George W. Bush addresses the US from the White House regarding the attacks. Almost 3,000 Americans died in the terror attacks.
TRIBUTES FLOOD IN
He said Brown had a “unique talent” and had a “beautiful way with words.”
Producer David Fitzpatrick described the late journalist as "impactful, insightful, and measured" in a glowing tribute.
"He was a signature anchor during his prime time," he said.
Jon Auerbach, also a producer, hailed Brown for his ability to make time for his family amid his busy schedule.
"Anchoring a program at 10 p.m. can be brutal, but Aaron was able to make time for what was important to him outside the studio, whether it be his wife and daughter or a round of golf," he said.
Former CNN star Amanda Turnbull paid tribute to the late journalist for his ability to tell a story, but always struck a balance on the human level.
Seattle political reporter Essex J. Porter said he admired Brown.
"He made sure the news stayed in TV news," he posted on .
Brown left CNN in 2005, and his prime time slot on the network was given to Cooper.
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Chiefs at the time revealed that the decision was made to boost Cooper, who was considered a rising star then, into the limelight.
Jon Klein, the former president of CNN, said Brown had made "enormous contributions" to the company as he announced that the anchor would be leaving the network.
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