Bill Biggart, the only professional photographer killed on 9/11, captured the tragedy’s final seconds with his camera. His wife Wendy Doremus recovered the gear days later, and 154 images—including the last shot at 10:28:24—have now entered the Imperial War Museum’s permanent collection.

  • Biggart grabbed his bedside camera and ran to Ground Zero
  • The final image was taken at 10:28:24, seconds before the second tower collapsed
  • All 154 recovered photographs are now housed at the Imperial War Museum, London

Background

On the morning of September 11, 2001, photographer Bill Biggart and his wife Wendy Doremus were walking their dog in Manhattan’s Union Square. A passing cab driver shouted that a plane had just struck the World Trade Center, and the couple rushed home to retrieve Bill’s cameras, which he kept beside his bed.

Race to the Disaster Zone

Without hesitation, Biggart sprinted roughly 20 blocks to the site that would become known as Ground Zero. While Doremus tried frantically to call him, he answered, “I’m with the firemen, I’m safe, I’ll see you in 20 minutes.” Minutes later the second tower fell, and she never saw him again.

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The Last Shot

Biggart’s camera captured a series of images as the towers collapsed. The very last photograph, taken at 10:28:24, shows ash‑filled clouds obscuring the sun, fire‑fighters covered in a snow‑like layer of soot, and a police officer sprinting across a street as office papers rain down.

"Biggart’s final frame is a raw, unfiltered window into the chaos and humanity of that day," notes historian Dr. Anita Sharma.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Biggart’s images serve not only as a documentary record of 9/11 but also as a benchmark for journalistic bravery and ethical responsibility in conflict photography.

Recovery and Preservation

Four days after the attacks, police led Doremus to a mortuary where, miraculously, all of Biggart’s gear was waiting. With the help of fellow photographer Chip East, she retrieved the film reels and memory cards, which later yielded 154 images after careful development.

The photographs reveal both the devastation and the unexpected moments of solidarity—firefighters shrouded in ash, a lone officer navigating falling debris, and the eerie calm of a sky turned dark by smoke.

Legacy at the Imperial War Museum

Earlier this week, the Imperial War Museum in London announced that Biggart’s 9/11 photographs have been added to its permanent collection, cementing his legacy alongside decades of conflict coverage from Palestine to Northern Ireland.

Did You Know?: Biggart was born in Berlin; his family escaped on one of the last trains before the Berlin Wall went up, a personal history that later drew him back to photograph the wall’s fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are all of Biggart’s 9/11 photographs publicly accessible?

A: Most images are now part of the Imperial War Museum’s digital archive and can be viewed online.

Q2: What key elements are visible in the final photograph?

A: The shot captures ash‑filled clouds, a fire‑fighter covered in soot, a police officer in motion, and surrounding buildings heavily damaged.