A YORK man was today waiting anxiously for news of his best friend who was feared to be working in New York's stricken World Trade Centre during yesterday's terrorist attack.

Pastor Jeff Cuozo, of Campbell Avenue, Holgate, still does not know if his lifelong friend Jesse Muscarello was alive or dead.

Mr Muscarello worked at the flattened trade towers as a stockbroker.

American Mr Cuozo, 29, who moved to York last year with his English wife, Naomi, and two children, has so far been unable to get through on the phone or email to New York for news of his friend.

He told the Evening Press: "I'm praying that Jesse is still alive. We grew up together in New Jersey and used to walk to our high school together every day.

"He was an usher at my wedding and is very special to me.

"It's comforting to know that Jesse is a Christian and if he died in the explosion he is now with Jesus in heaven.

"Knowing what sort of person he is I'm sure he tried to rescue people."

Mr Cuozo, who is a Bible teacher at the Calvary Evangelical Chapel in Walmgate Bar, said he believed the terrorist outrage was linked to the Middle Eastern conflict and America's sympathy for Israel.

Updated: 11:59 Wednesday, September 12, 2001