With the camera in hand, he continued to shoot calmly and intently despite the mayhem around him. He continued to get closer, and he was present as the South Tower collapsed. Bill was still at work when the North Tower collapsed a few minutes later. Moments before his death, his last picture was taken. His cameras were damaged but undamaged when rescuers discovered his death a few days later. They contained about 150 photographs, his final documentation of the day’s bravery, mayhem, and humanity. Bill Biggart died doing what he always did, which was to bear testimony at any costs. His images continue to stand as some of the most eerie reminders of the 9/11 truth etched in flames and smoke.
Bill was not a stranger to danger. Throughout his career, he had photographed war zones, protests, and disasters. But 9/11 would be his final assignment. As the South Tower fell, he kept working, moving closer to the smoldering wreckage. Witnesses later recalled how he seemed calm, focused only on his work while others scrambled for safety.
Later, after being heartbroken by the loss, his wife and family shared his work with the world. Many people felt as though they were there on the ground with him when they saw those pictures—hearing the mayhem, experiencing the smoke, and seeing the courage of first responders who went on to become emblems of American fortitude. As enduring recollections of that day, his photos are still on display in magazines, museums, and exhibitions. Because of his sacrifice, Bill is one of the few journalists who have lost their lives while reporting on the very events they were trying to expose. His influence is felt not only by 9/11 survivors but also by journalists worldwide who put their lives in peril in areas where the truth is frequently at jeopardy, such as war zones and natural disasters.
