A WRITER from Chorley, who moved to New York three years ago, has told of his shock as he watched the World Trade Center towers collapse.

Stunned Mark Halliwell, 39, formerly of Russell Square, said he watched in disbelief as the nightmare unfolded.

Mark, who used to work on Wall Street until he went freelance recently, was at work in his apartment less than a mile away.

He said: "First you see the site from the kitchen window, formerly resplendent, now forlorn. Then out in the street, you can't get out of the door without seeing shrines. Candlelit memorials to lost loved ones. Walking around the block is the same.

"The names are from every conceivable nationality: Puerto Rican, Dominican, Bangladeshi, Indian, Chinese, German, Dutch, English/American and on and on.

"Walking past firehouses with their blitzed out engines parked in front is heartbreaking. I saw one engine, less badly damaged but thick with dust. Two hours later I saw it again, all spruced up and back in action. The irrepressibility of the American Spirit is one of the things that I love and that keeps me here."

As the magnitude of the tragedy unfolded, Mark said it became more and more difficult reporting the events to the world outside.

Mark who lives with his wife Corinne, from Watford, was being visited by his brother Ben Halliwell, 20, and his girlfriend Lyndsey, of Adlington, when the catastrophe happened.

Mark attended Parklands High School before going on to Newcastle University.

Ben and Lyndsey were back at home in Chorley this week. Ben is a former pupil of Albany High and currently works for B&Q at Bamber Bridge. Extracts from Mark's account:

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 12:24pm:

"Heartbreaking sight watching 220 storeys drop to their knees. We were speculating as to how many people had managed to get out. 50,000 people. 60 storeys out of 200 hit. Maybe 15000 people at great risk.Then the whole South tower just plopped, like a drunk.

"More rumination. Will the North tower hold? Will it have to be demolished? What about these other planes which are unaccounted for. From our roof we watched transfixed but kept furtively looking uptown to the Empire State building, scanning the skies for minuscule dots. F16s buzzing. Police copters but as yet, thankfully,no more suicide pilots.

"Then, just as we were posing all these questions the north tower crumble into dust. Surprisingly quietly given the louder than thunder strikes of the planes. The fear is palpable."

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 10:44pm:

"Its still on fire and its still billowing dust into the night sky. Formerly picturesque views south through Soho which culminated majestically in the Twin Towers, now seem barren and empty. As do the streets that never used to sleep. A few restaurants are feeding a few but the majority are walking home. The scene across the Williamsburg Bridge earlier today was reminiscent of the New York Marathon. Only today these guys weren't running for fun, charity or self fulfilment. There is a palpable fear of imminent war. And as yet the anger and rhetoric of recrimination and punishment has not been heard. People are too shocked."

Wednesday, September 12, 2001 5:39pm:

"All that remains of WTC is the shadowy triangular twist in the center of the picture. The feint building in the background was previously hidden by the WTC.

"Choking back tears almost perpetually now. Going to hospital with supplies, T-shirts and sheets and Tylenol.

" More buildings are falling as I type."

Thursday, September 13, 12:25 am:

"Messages are graffitied onto walls, windows and windshields. "Very Lucky" emblazoned the front of an unscathed BMW Z3. The lyrics to "Stand by Me" adorn a store. The most poignant, an abandoned Jeep simply advises onlookers to 'PRAY'."

Friday, September 14, 2001 12:23 am:

"Venturing as far as 59th Street this evening, I find a different city to the one I've come to know recently. The avenues are full of life, yellow cabs and buses. Skyscrapers still stand with their lights on. Some even have magnificent lighting displays at their crowns. The people of New York are unbowed. We are sad, weary and changed forever but we press on.

"Parts of First Avenue have been sealed most of the day as it passes by many of the city's hospitals. It was there that I witnessed the first refrigerated truck hauling dead people.