Welles Crowther was an equities trader and volunteer firefighter who gave his life to save at least 12 people during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City.

After graduating from Boston College in 1999, Welles began work on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center in NYC.

On September 11, 2001 when the attacks began, Welles pulled out his red bandanna, which he had kept in his back pocket since he was a kid, tied it around his face to avoid inhaling smoke, and got to work.

After leaving a voicemail for his mother Alison, Welles made his way to the 78th floor where he found a group of survivors. Carrying an injured woman on his back, Welles led this group down 17 flights of stairs to the 61st floor. Welles then returned to the 78th floor where he continued administering aid and marshaling others to safety.

While most fled looking for safety, Welles was last seen turning back up the stairs of the South Tower, alongside FDNY personnel armed with a rescue tool to free trapped victims, before the building collapsed at 9:59AM.

This heroic tale of Welles’ final hour finally reached his mother Alison and the rest of the Crowther family almost a year later. Ultimately 12 people reported they had been saved by a man who spoke with calm authority amidst the chaos, a man who was trained in first aid and fire safety, a man who fearlessly and repeatedly ran up the stairs of the South Tower, a man who donned a red bandanna. At least 12 people were saved on September 11th, 2001 by Welles Remy Crowther.

The Endstate team is honored to further Welles’ legacy by raising money for The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust.

Discover the full story here.