A NORTH-East student was minutes from death on a New York subway train as terrorists struck the World Trade Centre.

Alexia Gillen, from Hartlepool, was showered with dust as one of the towers collapsed, after being evacuated from a train destined for the centre.

The 20-year-old was on the subway on her way to a sightseeing trip to the centre when terrorists crashed the first plane into New York's massive landmark.

She and two friends, all psychology students at Liverpool University, were on the train when it was stopped at nearby Times Square and was evacuated, just two minutes after the first plane hit the building.

Speaking briefly to Tyne Tees Television of her relief, Alexia described the atmosphere of chaos that descended on the city.

"There was disbelief everywhere. We were in Central Park last night and it was all anyone could talk about."

She added: "It doesn't seem real. We heard the rumblings and that was scary. Then we could see all the dust rising."

Alexia's father, Hartlepool businessman Leo Gillen, told of his relief when his daughter phoned him seven hours after the disaster.

He said his daughter and friends had been in Washington DC on Monday and travelled to New York.

The three had got up early to visit the trade centre, because it was a clear morning and they thought the views would be better.

At Times Square their train ground to a halt and people were told to get off. Alexia and her friends watched the events unfold on the big TV screens in the square, and watched as the second plane hit the centre.

Mr Gillen said: "There was no public transport so people had to walk 80 blocks to safety. All the shops were closed except for shoe shops, where businessmen and women were buying trainers to make the walk easier.

"Alexia was still a bit shaken last night. She is due back at the end of this week, but she knows it may be a bit longer because of the planes being stopped."

Mr Gillen said: "I was driving back from a meeting in Newcastle when I heard what had happened. I knew Alexia was supposed to be in New York and wasn't sure exactly where, but I was obviously very worried.

"I watched the news unfold on satellite television and it was shocking."

Mr Gillen, who runs the Gillens chain of convenience shops in Hartlepool, said Alexia was due to return tomorrow but did not know when she would be able to catch a flight.