Wife honours Twin Towers hero

Susan Rescorla laid roses at her husband's memorial

The widow of a Cornishman who saved thousands of people during the 11 September attacks has laid white roses at a memorial to him in his home town.

Rick Rescorla, a security officer for the Morgan Stanley bank, took charge of the evacuation of the World Trade Center's south tower after it was struck by a hijacked aircraft.

Accompanied by a small group of friends, Susan Rescorla visited the six-foot granite memorial to her husband in Hayle, west Cornwall.

The former US Vietnam war veteran, who sang Cornish songs to keep up the spirits of those around him, died when the tower collapsed.

It is an incredible thing to think that such a humble man could have left such an impression on the world

Susan Rescorla

The 62-year-old's body has never been found.

It is estimated he helped save 2,700 people by making sure they left the building before it collapsed.

The harbour-side memorial was unveiled on the first anniversary of the September atrocities in memory of Mr Rescorla.

It is made of locally quarried-granite, features a bronze eagle and bears the words "greater love hath no man".

Mrs Rescorla, 60, said: "You can just stand and look at this beautiful granite sculpture and it says it all.

"It really describes what happens so well, better than words."

She added: "I am very pleased with the kind of tributes that the UK and Cornwall have given to him.

Rick Rescorla helped save 2,700 people

"It is an incredible thing to think that such a humble man could have left such an impression on the world."

The tribute to Mr Rescorla was unveiled just feet from the waterside, and opposite his former home in Penpol Terrace in the town.

Mrs Rescorla, an American from New Jersey, spent the anniversary of her husband's death at Ground Zero and spoke to his Cornish relatives by telephone.

Mrs Rescorla has helped compile a book about her husband's life, called Heart of a Soldier.

Mrs Rescorla said: "It is my gift to my husband because it is the kind of book he would have wanted to have written."