From Stu Hoffman:

PNC News Release

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 18, 2001 - The following is the statement from Stuart Hoffman, chief economist for The PNC Financial Services Group, regarding his experience and that of his wife on Tuesday, Sept. 11, during the horrific World Trade Center tragedy:
"I went to New York City with about 200 other economists from across the world for the annual meeting of the National Association for Business Economics. The meeting was scheduled to be held from Sunday, Sept. 9, through Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the World Trade Center Marriott, located in Tower Two.
"On Tuesday morning, the breakfast meeting of about 125 members on the hotel's main floor was interrupted by sound and vibration of the plane crash into Tower One. I thought it was an earthquake. All of us began an orderly evacuation through the hotel lobby and into the street. My wife, meanwhile, heard the first explosion from our hotel room on the 19th floor and evacuated via the stairs. We were not able to contact one another initially and then were informed several hours later via my Pittsburgh office of the other's well-being. We finally met at a relative's apartment in the city about four hours later.
"It was a very traumatic experience. I witnessed the tragic events firsthand that we have all seen on TV. My wife and I feel blessed to be safe and our thoughts and prayers are with the relatives and colleagues of the victims. I want to express my relief that the other Association members are safe, and my sincere gratitude to PNC and BlackRock for their help as well as the many people who expressed their concern for our welfare."