The woman featured in a now iconic image of the September 11 terror attacks has died from cancer.

The hauntingly candid image of a terrified Marcy Borders, caked in dust as she fled the World Trade Centre, became an emblem of the horrifying event, which claimed 3000 lives.

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She was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2014, and had speculated if the 2001 attacks had caused the disease to develop.

Discussing her death on social media, John Borders called his cousin a “hero”.

“[She] unfortunately succumbed to the diseases that has ridden her body since 9/11,” he wrote.

“In addition to losing so many friends, co-workers and colleagues on and after that tragic day. . . the pains from yesteryear have found a way to resurface.”

Ms Borders was just one month in to a bank job at the World Trade Centre when the attacks took place.

She defied an order from her boss to remain at her desk and fled from the building, a stranger pulled her into a lobby just as the north tower collapsed.

In the years following 2001, Ms Borders’ life spiralled dramatically.

The traumatic legacy of the attacks spurned a drug addiction and severe depression.

But she sought help in 2011 and had turned her life around before the cancer diagnosis.