Radio problems 'may have cost lives' on Sept 11: report

A leaked report says the response of the New York fire department to the September 11 attacks was plagued by a series of failures that could have cost lives.

More than 300 firefighters were killed when the Twin Towers collapsed.

The independent report, due to be published later this week, is already causing shockwaves across the city.

The New York firefighters responding to the World Trade Centre attack were said to be hindered by failing radios and discipline problems, according to the report.

Some radios had been in use for up to 10 years and made it difficult for fire chiefs to keep in touch with crews inside the twin towers.

There were also other technical problems with radios in high rise buildings which firefighters' unions say is longstanding.

Communication with police was also poor which meant firefighters inside the towers were not getting information from police helicopters.

Firefighters also rushed into the trade centre without checking in with superiors and went against fire department procedures.