NEW YORK (AP) - The first visitors allowed into the Statue of
Liberty's crown in nearly eight years are beginning their arduous climb.

The statue was closed to the public after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits until Saturday.

The National Park Service says the crown remained closed since September 11 because the narrow, double-helix staircases could not be safely evacuated in an emergency and didn't comply with fire and building codes. Spokesman Darren Boch says tourists often suffered heat exhaustion, shortness of breath, panic attacks, claustrophobia and fear of heights.

So far, about 14,500 tickets to the crown have been sold, most of them for visits through the end of August. Tickets currently on sale are for visits in the fall and beyond. Tickets for the July Fourth weekend sold out within hours.

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