NYC window washers speak out about 1 World Trade Center scaffolding accident

NEW YORK (KABC) -- The window washers who were rescued after dangling from a tilting World Trade Center scaffold spoke out about the terrifying incident on Friday.

Juan Lopez, 33, and Juan Lizama, 41, spoke at a news conference, detailing the terrifying ordeal.

Now safely on the ground, the two men shared with the world their thoughts and prayers. They also thanked everyone involved in their rescue.

After they were dangling off 1 World Trade Center for more than an hour, firefighters used diamond-tipped saws to cut through a multi-layered window and pulled the men to safety.

The two men became trapped when slack in the scaffold line sent one side down at a steep angle. Both men were wearing safety harnesses and credit their training with getting them through the early terrifying moments.

While the window washers hung on, firefighters and police scrambled to the rescue. The thick glass of the tallest building in the country was slowly pulled back and then one by one the men were pulled to safety.

The dramatic rescue came a little more than a week after the building officially opened.

Lizama said that despite his ordeal, he would go back to 1 World Trade Center tomorrow if asked.

"This job's given me everything for my family, everything for me. That's why I say God bless America," he said. "I'm very happy to be here."

Lopez, 33, said he might prefer an earthbound assignment.

"There's other options for window washers," he said. "Ground-floor jobs. ... I will probably do that."

Officials haven't determined what caused the cable problem. Union officials at the news conference deflected questions about the cause of the accident, which is under investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.