Dramatic images of World Trade Centre Released for the First Time

Nine years after the defining moment of the 21st century, a stunning set of photographs taken by New York Police helicopters forces us to look afresh at a catastrophe we assumed we knew so well.

You know but cannot see the 2,752 men, women and children who died at the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001.

Even for those who were there, like me, running from the cloud and choking in the dust, it is hard to believe. But what is all too evident to everyone is that this event changed the world, with consequences that will haunt us for decades.

These dramatic images were taken by police photographers in helicopters and it is the first time they have been seen, having been released under a Freedom of Information request made by America's ABC News.

Burning buildings can be seen crumpling in on themselves as plumes of smoke rise up over the New York skyline that terrible September morning.

clipped from www.dailymail.co.uk Deadly: A total of seven World Trade Centre buildings were destroyed that day, killing 2,752 people flames pouring out of the ravaged North Tower Target: Smoke fills the surrounding area as the South Tower collapses after the terrorist attack by Al Qaeda The moment one of the World Trade Centre towers begins to crumble in New York The cloud spreads out, consuming the surrounding area and moving out over the East River Collapse: This image captures the sheer size of the debris cloud enveloping buildings and cars as the towers collapse Terror: A tidal wave of dust and debris roars through lower Manhattan as the World Trade Centre collapses on September 11, 2001 We have seen the Twin Towers collapse hundreds of times on TV. The steel and glass skyscrapers exploding like a bag of flour, the dust and smoke pluming out across Manhattan. But never like this, from above.