NY firefighters attend NZ memorial for 9/11 victims

Fire Department New York firefighters, (from left) John Mills, 35, and Christopher Barber. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Two New York City firefighters have helped to commemorate the lives of those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks at a special event in Auckland today.

Up to 100 firefighters from around New Zealand gathered this afternoon for the annual 9/11 Firefighter Memorial Climb at the old BNZ Tower on Queen St. It has been 13 years since four passenger airliners were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Centers in New York, the Pentagon and into a field in Pennsylvania.

Almost 3000 people perished.

The Auckland event is now in its sixth year, but this was the first time two firefighters from New York attended.

Those men, Christopher Barber and John Mills, read the names of the 343 firefighters who died during the September 11 attacks, in 2001, while the names of 56 of their Kiwi counterparts who have died in the line of duty were also read out.

A large crowd gathered at the site and watched on as bagpipes made for a poignant moment.

US Consul General Jim Donergan said: "This ceremony and memorial stair climb to commemorate the New York City firefighters killed in 9/11 and New Zealand Fire Service firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty signals the strength and special quality of our relationship.''

Key organiser of the memorial event, Auckland Airport firefighter Tony Scottie Scott, said it was a privilege to host fellow firefighters from New York, given their special connection.