Remembering young Sheffield broker, 33, killed in 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago today

It has been 25 years since a young man from Sheffield was one of nearly 3,000 people killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Nigel Bruce Thompson was just 33 and was working on the 105th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Centre when planes struck the iconic twin towers on 9/11.

Nigel, who worked for brokers Cantor Fitzgerald, would have celebrated his first anniversary with wife Rosana on October 21 of 2001.

Speaking at the time of the tragedy, Nigel’s identical twin, Neal, said his brother was his opposite: a good-dresser, a physical fitness buff, and tidy.

Neal told how they came to New York in the 90s from England and Nigel pushed him to be his best, adding: "He was a go-getter.”

Following his death, tributes poured in for Nigel, with one person describing him as a “good friend and colleague” who was “missed dearly,” another writing how he was “never forgotten,” and a third remembering him as “such a kind and gentle person”.

Another shared their treasured memories of growing up together and attending first Hallam Infants and Junior Schools and then Tapton.

They added: “I shall never forget the good times we had, riding around on our bikes and the laughs we shared while playing snooker at your mum and dad's in Sheffield.”

Nick Boski, a good friend, said he and Nigel got together every Sunday night to watch ‘The Sopranos.’

Or they would go down to the Brooklyn Heights promenade and smoke cigars from Nigel's collection.

"You could see the World Trade Center," Mr Boski said of the view. "I still go down there to feel connected to him."

There are memorials to Nigel on both sides of the Atlantic, with trees planted in New York’s Central Park and at the University of York, where he graduated from the university's economics department in 1990.

A memorial bench was also installed in the woods overlooking Sheffield’s Rivelin Valley.

Nigel’stwin launched a scholarship scheme in his memory at the University of York. He described at the time how his brother “was never afraid to reach for his dreams”.

Nigel was one of 2,977 people who were killed in the attacks on the twin towers, the Pentagon and on another plane which was believed to be headed for the White House. More than 6,000 people were injured.

It comes as New York City mayor, Zhoran Mamdani, will mark the 25th anniversary by designating September 11 as a day of ‘Day of Remembrance and Service.’

• RELATED: “Miserably wretched” Sheffield brothers wiped out father and son
• RELATED: Jailed in Sheffield: Seven crooks who scammed their victims
• RELATED: Alarm as freehold firm installs 'For Sale' signs at Sheffield homes
• RELATED: Readers debate 'tourist tax' in Sheffield saying costs must not put off visitors