Social media "magic" tracks down father and daughter in viral photo from just before Notre Dame fire
The father-daughter duo captured in a heartwarming viral photo taken just an hour before a major fire erupted at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has been found, thanks to Twitter. Brooke Windsor, the American tourist who took the picture, confirmed Thursday that the story has come full circle.
Windsor's search for the people in the photo went viral Tuesday after she shared it on Twitter. "I almost went up to the dad and asked if he wanted it. Now I wish I had," Windsor tweeted Monday night alongside the photo. "Twitter if you have any magic, help him find this."
Now, Windsor has confirmed that she's been in touch with the father in the photo through Twitter, though he has asked to remain anonymous. "The search is over!" she tweeted Thursday. "The photo has reached the dad and family."
"Thanks again for that beautiful photo, we will find a special place for it," the dad told Windsor, according to her tweet. She also thanked everyone who has shared the photo for helping to locate its subjects.
The search is over! The photo has reached the dad & family. He has chosen to remain anonymous in the wake of tragedy, and writes: “Thanks again for that beautiful photo, we will find a special place for it.” Thank you to everyone who has shared the picture and for your kind words
— Brooke Windsor (@brookeawindsor) April 18, 2019
The iconic spire at the top of the cathedral and a large section of the roof collapsed in the fire that broke out Monday. A French judicial police official told the Associated Press on Thursday that investigators think an electrical short-circuit most likely caused the fire, although the investigation continues.
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the landmark. Fire officials warned that the more than 800-year-old cathedral structure remains very fragile and extremely dangerous for construction workers and others.