Oklahoma City bombing survivor recalls the day ahead of 30th anniversary
On April 19, 1995, America was rocked by its first homegrown terrorist attack — the Oklahoma City bombing. This Saturday, NewsNation looks back at the heroes and the journalists who were there as the chaos unfolded. Tune in to 'ON AIR LIVE: Oklahoma City bombing: 30 years later' at 9p/8C. Find out how to watch.
(NewsNation) — As the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing approaches, a woman who was buried alive for over six hours and survived is recounting what she remembers from that day.
Amy Downs, president and CEO of Allegiance Credit Union — the same credit union she worked for during the bombing — joined NewsNation's 'Morning in America' on Friday.
On April 19, 1995, a truck loaded with a bomb exploded outside a federal office building in Oklahoma City.
Downs, who was working in the building that day, miraculously survived after falling three floors.
'I found out later I was still in my chair, upside down, buried under around 10 feet of rubble,' she told NewsNation.
Downs explained how her rescue took more than six hours, after the threat of a second bomb disrupted her escape and left her alone for nearly an hour. First responders eventually returned to the scene and continued trying to rescue her.
'They risked their lives to save mine,' Downs said of the first responders. But for about 45 minutes, her life was flashing before her eyes. She thought about trying to fall asleep in case rescuers couldn't get to her and the building collapsed further, so she wouldn't be conscious for her own death.
'I was just desperate for some peace … I started singing a song that we used to sing in church… and I felt peace,' she explained.
Thirty years later, Downs is feeling blessed.
'I'm very fortunate to have a second chance, and I take it for all that it's worth,' she told NewsNation.
Downs believes everyone can learn an important lesson from what happened in Oklahoma City 30 years ago.
'Coming together, despite your differences … We need more of that, coming together for good,' she said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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