Close call for 11 September survivor

Mark Sokolow felt it was important to visit Israel

An American who survived the 11 September attack on the World Trade Center in New York escaped with his life in Sunday's bomb attack in Jerusalem.

I was obviously a lot luckier last time. This one involved my whole family

Mark Sokolow

Mark Sokolow, who described himself as a religious Jew, said it was his experience last September that had led him to change his holiday plans and visit relatives in Israel.

The 43-year-old told Israeli television of his escape from the second of the World Trade Center towers, running down the stairs from his office on the 38th floor after suicide bombers flew a passenger jet into the first tower.

More than four months later he and his family were among those knocked to the ground as they stood outside a shoe shop in Jerusalem's main shopping street.

The shoe shop bore the brunt of the blast

"I heard a loud whoosh, like a bang. And I kind of saw things flying around a little bit and then I realised I was able to get up and walk around," he said, speaking from his hospital bed with his head bandaged.

"I am sure there are many parallels that I'll be able to figure out... I don't know," he said of his ordeal.

"I was obviously a lot luckier last time. This one involved my whole family."

Holiday plans

Mr Sokolow, from Woodmere, Long Island, and his wife suffered cuts and bruises.

Mr Sokolow made it, thousands did not

One of their daughters received a skin graft to her leg, while the other underwent eye surgery.

"As a matter of fact we changed our plans after 11 September," he said.

"We were meant to go on vacation elsewhere. We changed our plans to bring our whole family here.

"We just felt it was more important that we do this and come here and spend time in Israel, as opposed to going elsewhere."