First test of 26,000 gallon 9/11 memorial fountain declared a success

A huge fountain which will make up part of the official 9/11 Memorial sputtered into life today during a trial run for its grand unveiling.
The water feature, which is located where the north tower of the World Trade Centre once stood, is one of a pair which will officially open next September 11, the tenth anniversary of the attacks.
The fountain will blast 26,000 gallons a minute over the 30-foot deep black granite walls, the New York Post reported.

A second fountain where the south tower used to stand is set to be tested later this year. Together they will make up the nation’s largest manmade waterfalls.
The structure, which is named Reflecting Absence, was declared ‘absolutely stunning’ by Joseph Daniels, president of the 9/11 Memorial.
He added: ‘The way the sunlight played on the water, and the sound. It was perfect.’
Paula Berry, who lost a loved one in the attacks, said: ‘The presence of waters is incredibly important to the memorial.
‘When you think of the memorial’s name, Reflecting Absence, you have to have the means to reflect and the water plays that role.’

The structure will be backlit so the names can be read in the dark.
The site will also feature 400 trees and include a memorial museum below the plaza.
In total, 2,973 people were killed when Al Qaeda militants crashed hijacked airliners into the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.
Six were killed in the 1993 attacks, which also injured 1,042.