Fox’s Eric Shawn Covered Ground Zero’s ‘Hellscape.’ Then Came Cancer — and the Realization That He Was One of Many

As the world prepares to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Eric Shawn, a veteran journalist, reflects on the lasting impact of that tragic day—not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the years that followed. For many, including Shawn himself, the repercussions of 9/11 are felt on a daily basis, manifesting as a spectrum of health issues.

On September 11, 2001, Shawn, now 69, was en route to work when he witnessed American Airlines Flight 11 fly alarmingly low above him. The horror of that moment is etched in his memory. “I thought it was going to hit a skyscraper,” he recounted, feeling as though his mind was playing tricks. He hastily made his way to the Fox News newsroom, where he would soon find himself reporting live from Ground Zero that same evening.

The grim aftermath of the attacks left an indelible mark on Shawn. For over a month, he worked extensive shifts amid the wreckage and chaos, confronted with scenes that were far more harrowing than anything portrayed on television. “It was a shocking hellscape,” he noted, recalling the overwhelming sights and sounds that enveloped him at the site.

Shawn’s experiences at Ground Zero were compounded by the unhealthy environmental conditions. Clad in a respiratory mask like many first responders, he grappled with a pervasive “thick haze of choking dust.” He intuitively sensed the dangers of the air around him, recalling, “I remember the first night thinking, ‘This is not healthy.’” At the time, however, he was unaware of the long-term consequences these toxic exposures would have on his health.

Not long after his coverage of the attacks began, Shawn began to suffer from health issues related to his time at Ground Zero. His symptoms included an “uncontrollable cough,” diagnosed by doctors as the “World Trade Center cough.” He later discovered that this condition had evolved into acute chronic bronchitis, a disease he battled for years. He vividly remembers one particularly troubling year, during which his health deteriorated to the point where he required an extraordinary number of Prednisone doses.

Recently, Shawn received a troubling diagnosis of skin cancer as a direct result of exposure to over 350 chemical hazards at the site. Furthermore, increased levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) led to the classification of his condition as “the highest level of probable” prostate cancer. He currently remains under close observation, participating in a programme established for those impacted by the events of 9/11.

Despite sharing these difficult experiences, Shawn has largely kept his health struggles private, even from colleagues. As the quarter-century mark of the tragedy approaches, he feels a moral obligation to raise awareness about the multitude of individuals suffering from 9/11-related ailments. “A tragic legacy of that day that people don’t really know about is the vast number of 9/11-related illnesses and growing victims,” he said.

While acknowledging that journalists are not first responders, Shawn emphasised that those who covered the attacks are still part of the larger community affected by 9/11. He mourns the loss of colleagues who have succumbed to cancer attributed to the same circumstances, underscoring a chilling reality: the attack’s traumatic legacy continues to claim lives in ways that many may overlook.

In the lead-up to the commemoration ceremony, which will include a seventh moment of silence dedicated to the memory of those who have perished from 9/11-related illnesses, Shawn remains grateful for the medical support he has received through the World Trade Center Health Program. He views his medical journey as a reminder of the ongoing struggle that many are still grappling with today.

As he looks to the future, Shawn’s aim is not to draw attention to his individual plight but to shed light on the broader impact of 9/11-related health issues. “The numbers are so daunting and it’s only going to grow. 9/11 was one day, but for many people, it’s every day and continues now,” he remarked. In doing so, he hopes to bring recognition to the daily battles faced by countless individuals and families still grappling with the aftermath of that fateful day.