9/11 memorial shows 'solidarity' to US fire crews

A firefighter from Devon said it felt great to show solidarity with US crews by completing a 9/11 memorial stair climb.

Matt Hallett from Teignmouth station travelled to Atlanta in the state of Georgia alongside colleagues from Devon & Somerset Fire Service and other firefighters from across the UK.

He joined hundreds of US firefighters to climb the equivalent of 110 floors in full firefighting kit at baseball stadium Truist Park, raising money for charity in the process.

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, in which 343 firefighters lost their lives.

Hallett said it was a day of "mixed emotions", but he was very excited to be there.

He said the firefighters who took part were all able to reflect on why they were there.

"We showed solidarity with the US fire service and let them know that 9/11 had not been forgotten," Hallett said.

Each participant did the climb in memory of a firefighter who lost their life 25 years ago.

Hallett completed the climb for Peter J. Langone of New York City Fire Department Engine 252.

"We each carried a photograph with us of one of the firefighters who died that day, so I had the great pleasure of carrying one of Peter Langone," Hallett said.

"When things were getting a bit tough, I could look at his picture, think about what all the firefighters went through that day and it inspired me to keep going.

"Having that connection, learning about his story - the 343 are not just a number, we can take that with us and tell people about the firefighters that we know about now and what they sacrificed that day."

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