Former NYC ferry captain who evacuated hundreds on 9/11 dies

New York City firefighter Thomas Phelan, who evacuated hundreds of people from Manhattan during the 9/11 attacks while working as a ferry captain, died Friday.

Explore>> Read more trending news

Phelan, 45, died of cancer, the New York Daily News reported.

Phelan was working as a Statue of Liberty ferry captain on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists flew two jetliners into the World Trade Center. Phelan turned the boat into a rescue vehicle and played a key role in evacuating people stranded in Lower Manhattan, the Daily News reported.

"He brought supplies, rescue workers & was a huge part of the operation," according to the NYC Fire Wire Facebook page.

He went on to join New York’s fire department in May 2003, the Daily News reported.

About the Author

Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

‘Big, beautiful bill’ strikes fear in Georgia’s clean energy, EV sectors

If the Senate's One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, it would eliminate tax credits for EV purchases and installing solar panels and end subsidies for clean energy companies

Brookhaven removes colored glass from City Centre dome after uproar

Some say the colors were too bright, the dome looked like ice cream with sprinkles and the hues distracted from the building’s muted design.

Sneaker Con draws masses to Atlanta for shoes and status

One Sneaker Con attendee Saturday in Atlanta said: 'Once you have that rush of buying, buying, buying, it’s like a drug. You can’t stop.'

The Latest

Credit: Abbey Edmonson

A.M. ATL: Being a kid ain’t what it used to be

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: On your mark, get set … run!

A.M. ATL: Energy zap

Featured

Credit: TNS

Amid UPS struggles, shipper makes first-ever plans to offer buyouts to drivers

UPS said in a written statement it is navigating “an unprecedented business landscape.”

Kneeling man impaled by giant straw? Towering mural leaves public mystified.

A towering mural on the side of the Connally Hotel has mystified Atlanta since 2011. Who is the kneeling man, and what's piercing him? Is it a beam of light? A drinking straw?

OPINION

I just graduated college. Will I be able to buy a house like my parents did?

A recent college grad asks: Am I going to be able to buy a home like my parents did less than 30 years ago?