Nothing heard since son phoned from skyscraper

A banker from Scotland is among the thousands of people missing after the terrorist attack on New York, his distraught mother revealed tonight.

Derek Sword was working on the 89th floor inside the north tower of the World Trade Centre when the first plane entered the skyscraper yesterday.

The Scot telephoned his parents as soon as he realised what had happened to reassure them that he was alive and well, it emerged tonight.

His terrified parents, David and Irene, of Dundee, said they are still hopeful their son, who got engaged to an American just 10 days ago, is still alive.

Speaking from her home, Mrs Sword said: ‘‘The first we knew was when Derek rang to say he was fine and told us not to worry. That must have been seconds after the plane went in.

‘‘That was really it and we have not heard anything else since. We have been watching the television and checking with the Foreign Office but there is no news of him yet.’’

Derek had worked for a finance firm in New York for the past six years, his mother revealed.

She added: ‘‘It is so, so difficult for us. We feel helpless and are just hoping that he is safe and well.

‘‘His fiancee has told us that there are hundreds of unidentified people in hospitals over there and we are praying that our son is among them.

‘‘Until we hear otherwise, we will go on believing he is OK. But this is just the most harrowing thing and is truly awful.’’

The Sword family said they feared they might have to wait days before they have confirmation about what has happened to their son.

Mrs Sword added: ‘‘This is just something you never, ever imagine that you would have to go through.

‘‘This waiting about just about destroys you. But you have to be positive and that is what we are all trying to do.

‘‘The fact Derek phoned us has given us hope and for his sake we will not give that up for anything.

‘‘We also hope that his fiancee over there will be able to get information quicker than we can over here.’’