Man Who Found Brother's Body in 9/11 Rubble Has Died

Daniel Foley was with the NYFD for 21 years
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 25, 2020 2:34 PM CST
9/11 Killed His Brother. 18 Years Later, It Killed Him
   (Getty Images)

It's a statement that brings chills even 18 years after the fact: "On the 11th day, Danny miraculously found his brother Tommy in the rubble at the World Trade Center." That's what an official with Rescue Co. 3 in the Bronx had to say of Daniel Foley, a New York City firefighter whose older brother, fellow firefighter Thomas Foley, was killed while responding to the 9/11 terror attacks. Daniel Foley died Saturday at age 46 from pancreatic cancer caused by his own time at Ground Zero, which included the aforementioned 11 days spent searching for his brother's remains but also many months beyond them.

CNN reports that while Foley wasn't assigned to Rescue Co. 3 as his brother was, he joined them through the entire recovery effort, which lasted through May 2002. He then transferred from Ladder 49 to Rescue Co. 3. The New Rochelle resident was diagnosed on Feb. 24 of last year and retired after 21 years of service. He leaves behind a wife and five children, ages 6 to 17, reports Lohud.com. Officials put the count of firefighters who have died of 9/11-related illnesses at 220. (More 9/11 attacks stories.)

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