11 September 2023 , 22:52
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Thousands of people were tragically killed in the horrific terror attacks on New York's World Trade Centre, but one woman has come forward to explain how Gwyneth Paltrow saved her life.
It was 22 years ago that two hijacked planes were flown into the Twin Towers, claiming the lives of 2,977 people. People from around the world watched on in terror as the events unfolded live on TV. In the aftermath of the tragedy, people started to share their survival stories, with missed trains and busy traffic meaning some ended up narrowly avoiding the disaster.
One such person was account manager Lara Lundstrom Clarke. She said a chance encounter with Hollywood actress Gwyneth made her late for her job at the World Trade Centre and saved her from being in the second tower when it was hit by a plane.
Gwyneth Paltrow saved a woman's life thanks to a chance encounter (Getty Images for Vanity Fair)Lara, who worked at Baseline Financial Services on the 77th floor of Tower 2, was just 24 years old when the 9/11 terror attacks took place. She recalled how she was crossing 7th avenue to Christopher Street station when a silver Mercedes SUV nearly hit her.
"I stopped and they screeched to a halt," she told The Morton Report. "Then it developed in to one of those classic who-goes-first situations. It got ridiculous. Then I made eye contact with the Mercedes driver. OMG it was Gwyneth Paltrow." Lara said Gwyneth waved across the road and she continued towards the subway station. She added: "At least if I was late for work I had a story to tell." As Lara raced to make her train, she made it to the platform as the doors slammed shut in front of her, reminiscent of Gwyneth's film Sliding Doors.
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The actress delayed Lara Lundstrom Clarke's journey to work (Getty Images for Daily Front Row)With no idea about the horror unfolding, Lara said she was "annoyed at everything that had made me late that day, including Gwyneth Paltrow". By the time she made it to the World Trade Centre, the first plane had hit and she was instructed to wait back in the subway station.
She explained the situation as "total chaos". During the terrifying experience, Lara said she could only think about her parents and what would happen to them if she died. She said her "heart was racing, I was paralysed." When people were finally let out of the station, there was a police officer telling them to get far away from the Towers. Lara recalled seeing people jumping from the building. Moments later, the second plane hit her office.
Somehow, the majority of her co-workers managed to survive. Lara has since credited Gwyneth with saving her life and said: "If I had made that train I would have been at my desk on the 77th floor of 2 World Trade centre."