Hero 9/11 firefighter who recovered brother’s body from Twin Towers dies of cancer related to attacks – The US Sun
Emma Powell
Published Aug 27, 2026
A HERO 9/11 firefighter who pulled his brother's body from the Twin Towers wreckage has died of cancer linked to the rescue work.
New York City fireman Danny Foley, 46, spent 11 days digging through the carnage of the World Trade Center in a desperate effort to recover the remains of brother Tommy, 32.
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The dad-of-five tragically lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday after receiving the crushing diagnosis last year.
Foley was struck down with the disease on February 24, 2019 - almost 18 years after the terror attack.
His shattered widow Carrie Benedict Foley told USA today: "It's continuing to affect people and their families through every kind of illness.
"Nineteen, 18 years later, you find you have cancer."
Brave Danny - a veteran of the fire brigade for 21 years - is the third member of his family to pass from illnesses related to 9/11.
The brothers' dad, Tom Sr, died from cancer in 2016 also linked to rescue and recovery work after the atrocity, Fox News reports.
The family said in a statement: "The Foley family wishes to thank family and friends for their support and love over the last year during Danny's battle, including the New York City Fire Department, especially Danny's brothers in Rescue Company 3."
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro hailed Foley as another "brave member of our department".
Daniel Foley, like his brother Thomas who was killed on September 11th, dedicated his life to rescuing others. We will never forget them.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro
He added: "The attacks on the World Trade Center have claimed yet another brave member of our Department, and the Foley family.
"Daniel Foley, like his brother Thomas who was killed on September 11th, dedicated his life to rescuing others. We will never forget them."
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also paid tribute a moving to Foley and praised him as the "best of this city".
He tweeted: "Firefighter Daniel Foley gave his life for our city.
"Just like his older brother Thomas did on 9/11.
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"They represented the best of this city and we will never forget them. God bless their memory and their family."
Danny first joined the FDNY in 1991 assigned to Ladder 49 in the Bronx.
He was commended 10 times by the department for bravery and scooped three medals for rescues during his 21 years' service.
His older brother Tommy, 32, was killed in the 9/11 attacks and his family established the Thomas J. Foley Memorial Foundation to educate people on the events of September 11, 2001.
Lieutenant Mickey Conboy of Rescue Co. 3, said: "On the first night, Danny promised his mother and father he wouldn't come home until he brought his brother home with him.
"On the 11th day, Danny miraculously found his brother Tommy in the rubble at the World Trade Center."
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Danny was not originally assigned to the recovery efforts with Rescue Company 3 but he continued to come back to the site every day.
Rescue Company 3 lost eight members during the 9/11 attacks but Danny Foley is the first to die from pancreatic cancer caused by the effects of working on the scene.
More than 220 firefighters have died as a result of illnesses related to the Ground Zero rescue and recovery work.
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