US businessman Jason Spindler who survived 9/11 killed in Kenya terror attack

An American businessman who survived the 9/11 terror attacks in New York has been identified as one of those killed in a terror attack in Nairobi this week.

Jason Spindler, who was among the 21 people murdered at a Kenyan hotel complex on Tuesday, had been late for work at the World Trade Center at the time of the 2001 atrocity.

The 40-year-old, from Houston, Texas, emerged from the subway when the first tower fell and was covered in dust and debris as he tried to help others, his mother Sarah told KTRK-TV.

His mother and brother Jonathan confirmed his death on Facebook and to several US media outlets.

Kevin Yu, a former university classmate, said Mr Spindler had helped save people stuck in rubble as the September 11 attacks unfolded.

He told the Washington Post: "That's exactly the kind of person he is. I have no doubt that when he heard the explosions outside the hotel, he was one of those trying to jump in and help."

Mr Spindler, who worked to grow businesses in emerging markets with his firm I-DEV International, joined the Peace Corps in Peru after the US attacks.

Speaking to NBC News, his mother said he "was trying to make positive change in the third world in emerging markets".

She added: "We all miss him so much. And it's so sad that such a bright young person is taken away by terrorism."

Among those killed in Kenya was Luke Potter, who worked for international development charity Gatsby.

All those missing after the attack have now been accounted for after reports the whereabouts of around 50 were unknown.

More than 700 civilians were moved to safety during the 20-hour siege in the upmarket Westlands neighbourhood which ended on Wednesday morning.

Hours after police said all the terrorists had been "eliminated", it emerged a "long-serving" British SAS soldier had reportedly helped secure the hotel complex during the attack.

The unnamed serviceman is said to have been in the country training and mentoring Kenyan Special Forces when the assault broke out.

Shortly after the attack started, Somali Islamist militant group al Shabaab said it was responsible for the killings.