A man who became the subject of one of the most iconic photographs from September 11, 2001, has shared how a chance event saved his life that day. Ed Fine, now 83, was walking away from the ruins of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, carrying a black briefcase, in a picture that later appeared on the cover of Fortune magazine. The photo, taken during the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, shows Fine covered in white dust, still wearing his business clothes, as he navigates the wreckage. The image became a powerful symbol of survival and resilience in the wake of the deadliest attack on U.S. soil. In an interview with The Mirror, Fine described how he still keeps the briefcase and the suit he wore that day, both of which have been cleaned. He said they serve as a reminder of his narrow escape from death. “They remind me of a day when I was very lucky,” he said. “I returned home from 9/11 — many people didn’t. I never forget that.” Fine emphasized that the items are a message to those who carried out the attacks: “They won’t win.” Fine was on the 79th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center when the plane struck between the 93rd and 99th floors. He described the encounter as a “bizarre coincidence.” He had planned to meet with a firm in the World Trade Center for an investment banking appointment. However, his son had called the night before to say he was too sick to go, so Fine agreed to go in his place. On the morning of September 11, he arrived at the building early, only to discover that the elevator he had taken to the 79th floor was the last one before the plane hit. He missed the next elevator by seconds — a decision that ultimately saved his life. Fine’s wife, Ingrid, who is 84, said she was terrified when she didn’t hear from him for several hours after the attack. The couple has two children, Stuart and Heidi, who are now 60 and 57 years old, respectively. Fine’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of fate and the profound impact of that fateful day on those who survived it.