Eleventh hour change of plans saved couple's lives

Newlywed Peter and Nicky Allison, from Darlington, County Durham, brought forward their trip to the towering landmark fearing bad weather.

Just hours after their visit, the centre's two huge buildings were struck by planes hijacked by suicide bombers, leading to the deaths of thousands of people.

Mr and Mrs Allison were among one of the last groups of tourists to visit the centre's observation deck the previous evening.

They brought forward their visit to the Monday night because of stormy weather in New York.

The couple, who both work at Darlington's Orange call centre, had married at Barnard Castle's Bowes Museum and went by cruise liner to New York for their honeymoon.

They were unable to catch their planned flight back to the UK in the aftermath of the tragedy, but were able to make the journey by boat, extending their honeymoon by almost two weeks.

Mr Allison, 27, speaking from their cruise liner in the Atlantic, said: "We would have been at the World Trade Centre on the day it was hit if it was not for the weather, as it was in our plans to go there on Tuesday morning.

"We went on the Monday instead and were one of the last ones out of the building on the last lift down at about 9.30pm."

The newlyweds were staying at the Marriot Marquis hotel in New York's Time Square, about 20 minutes walk from the World Trade Centre, and heard about the devastating attack from a television in a shop.

Said Mrs Allison: "When you've been up the World Trade Centre and appreciate how high it is, you realise how frightening it must have been for those involved.

"We were disbelieving when we saw on the television what happened and we'll just be glad to get home."

Peter's mother, Ann, who lives in Newton Aycliffe, said the couple were expected back home tomorrow.

She said: "The family waited for five hours on the day of the attacks before we got a call to say they were okay and now we can't wait for them to get back."