Two explosions at Boston marathon finish line

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/explosions-boston-marathon-finish-line-18960342#.UWxdFcrfKUM

Two explosions shattered the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile race were rerouted away from the smoking site.

Competitors and race volunteers were crying as they fled the chaos. Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.

"There are a lot of people down," said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.

Neither race officials nor public officials could immediately estimate the number or degree of injuries.

About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon. TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.

"There are people who are really, really bloody," said Laura McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent being treated for dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims of the explosions. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."

Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.

"I was expecting my husband any minute," she said. "I don't know what this building is ... it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don't know what it was. I just ducked."

Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.

 

News sources are stating that we are on high alert in DC and NY at the moment.

Thoughts are with everyone at the moment.

Sherry

 

4:45 EST news conference.

 

one thread not enough ?

 

Nope, it's important enough for more than one.

Sherry

 

Gov. Deval Patrick on right now.

 

Third explosion at JFK Library.

 

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http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlin...ton-marathon-explosion/#.UWxpcxLdPkg.facebook

Live updates above.

 

TIP Hotline: 1-800-494-TIPS

To Locate Someone: 1-617-635-4500

 

Our hearts go out to the victims of today's tragedy in Boston, and their families.

If you are trying to find out about missing loved ones, please call 617-635-4500. You can also use Google's person finder if you're looking for someone or have information: http://upwr.me/116NRcO.

If you saw or know anything about the bombings, please call 1-800-494-TIPS.

And if you've been triggered into stress by these events, please make a free call to the Disaster Distress Line: 1-800-985-5990.

 

6:10 EST the President of the United States will speak. Congress has already had a moment of silence.

Sherry

 

You sure about this.

 

Come on. This is not political, this is horrible. Don't do this.

Sherry

 

No, news reports are sketchy about this at the moment. It was reported this way earlier but now is being checked out.

Sherry

 

ABC news is saying the JFK Library was an unrelated fire.

Sherry

 

What was Behgahzi? Oh. An unfortunate incident due to a mob scene.

 

You should be ashamed of yourself for bringing that up when this has happened today.

Sherry

 

You and your 400 replies to your own thread are on the political pit. How badly do you crave attention on here? Was one thread not enough for all your cut and pastes?

 

Wulf, you are the one who craves the attention doing this on a thread about deaths that happened in Boston today. You are vile but not as vile as those who did this in Boston today.

Sherry