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.
The north side of the Albert P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City shows the devastation caused by a fuel-and fertilizer truck bomb that was detonated early April 19, 2005, in front of the building. The blast, the worst terror attack on US soil, killed 168 people and injured more than 500. (Photo by BOB DAEMMRICH / AFP) (Photo by BOB DAEMMRICH/AFP via Getty Images) 
N220195 02: FILE PHOTO: Protective covering drapes over the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995 where a terrorist bomb killed 168 people. On the fifth anniversary of the bombing, survivors, victims” family members, friends and rescue personnel gathered at the bombing site April 19, 2000 to officially dedicate a national park built to honor the people killed in the 1995 bombing. (Photo by J. Pat Carter/Liaison) 
N220195 04: Frightened civilians react to the terrorist bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995 killing 168 people. (photo by J. Pat Carter) 
(Original Caption) Aftermath of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. (Photo by �� Greg Smith/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) 
Family members of those lost in the Oklahoma City bombing grieve as they watch the remains of the Alfred P. Murrah building be demolished. On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh exploded a truck bomb outside of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring more than 500 in what was at the time the largest terror attack on American soil. (Photo by David Butow/Corbis via Getty Images) 
A man and a woman are looking at the damages after terrorist bomb attack on Oklahoma building, 19th April 1995. (Photo by Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Sygma via Getty Images)
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.
Oklahoma City bombing survivor says rescue took hours
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.