Former pianist missing since twin towers attack

A former concert pianist who switched to a career in finance was named today as the first Welsh person known to be missing in New York.

Catherine James, 37, originally of West Cross, Swansea, south Wales, was working on the 100th floor of one of the twin towers destroyed in Tuesday’s terrorist attack.

Family friend and Swansea councillor Des Thomas said today her family had been praying for news of her survival since the atrocity.

He said her father Howard James, former head teacher at the city’s Whitestone Primary School, was in contact with his daughter’s husband in New York.

‘‘She is quite a talented pianist who studied at the Royal School of Music,’’ said Mr Thomas.

‘‘I think she found it difficult to make headway as a pianist and went into finance.

‘‘She was on the 100th floor of one of the towers, I don’t know which, when it happened.

‘‘Her family have known she is missing since Tuesday. Obviously they are praying that she will turn up.

‘‘I spoke to Howard tonight who is obviously devastated.

His daughter lived in America and her husband is over there doing all he can to locate her.’’