George W Bush thought World Trade Centre attack was 'horribly lost little plane'

George W Bush has said that his first reaction when an aide told him that an aeroplane crashed into the World Trade Centre was that a "little propeller plane" was "horribly lost".

Only when, during the presentation, his chief of staff Andy Card whispered in his ear that a second plane had struck, and that "America is under attack", did the fact that an act of terrorism had taken place cross his mind.

It was then that "instinct kicked in". Though Mr Bush faced criticism for reacting slowly, he says his press aide Ari Fleisher held up a sign saying not to say anything yet and that he agreed it was best to let the lesson end and learn all the facts before saying anything to the nation....