Boston Marathon Bombed - Discussion

[DanMcQ]

Oh no...

livewire.wcvb.com/Event/117th_Running_of_Boston_Marathon#ixzz2QYsDQH2R

2:52 PM
Sean Kelly/Staff @seankellytv5
Two massive explosions at finish line.

A entire store front has been blow out...with massive numbers of casualties reported on the ground

First video: bcove.me/qwi5k6ap

[SSHoya]

At least 3 other devices found.

[TBird41]

Apr 15, 2013 15:24:34 GMT -5 SSHoya said:

At least 3 other devices found.

Sounds like we were lucky that this wasn't a whole lot worse. It sounds like the bombs that did go off didn't go off at the worst (most crowded) time either, thankfully

[DanMcQ]

www.wcvb.com/news/local/metro/2-killed-23-injured-in-blasts-near-Boston-Marathon-finish-line/-/11971628/19757044/-/m4nlfw/-/index.html

BOSTON —Two people were killed and at least 23 people were injured in two explosions that rocked the Boston Marathon steps away from the finish line.

A senior U.S. intelligence official said two more explosive devices were found near the area, and they were being dismantled.

The first blasts happened at about 2:50 p.m. near the intersection of Boylston and Exeter streets. Bloody spectators were carried away from the area, and witnesses said several victims lost limbs.

"People started throwing down the barricade and running over one another. I literally saw the garbage barrel explode, and I ran as fast as I could," said one runner.

Boston police said two people died, and at least 22 were injured. Many tired and scared runners were seen wandering around the area, desperate to find loved ones.

A doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital said the injured looked as if they "were in a war zone."

Buildings on Boylston Street, including the Mandarin Hotel, have been evacuated, and officials are now treating the area as a crime scene.

"I was turning the corner. I was near the Hynes (Convention) Center. I saw two explosions. I just turned around and ran. It was a fireball -- a huge fireball," one runner said.

The first explosion happened across from the Lenox Hotel, and the second blast was about 15 seconds later, witnesses said. White smoke could be seen rising from the blasts, and witnesses said the impact of the explosions could be felt blocks away.

A third blast that was heard downtown was a controlled explosion by Boston police, officials confirmed. It was not clear what they were detonating.

"No matter who or what is responsible, this is a terrible tragedy for our city and our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured today," Rep. Stephen Lynch said.

Several storefronts have been blown out. Many of the injured appeared to be spectators who gathered for the 117th running of the race.

Some of the injured were brought to a medical tent that was set up for the runners of the historic race.

"There are people who are really, really bloody," said Laura McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."

Runners who had not finished the race were diverted down Commonwealth Avenue to a family meeting area.

No fly zone over Boston. This is awful.

[Nevada Hoya]

As somebody who has run marathons, this is last thing you want happening at the finish line. This happened about four hours into the race, so the elite runners had already completed the race. I doubt anybody with a time over four hours was allowed to finish, as the finish area is in disarray. Prayers for the victims and families.

[Nevada Hoya]

NY Post reporting 12 dead, 50 injured. I don't know how they are getting those numbers, when the Boston Globe (or Boston.com) is reporting two dead.

[SSHoya]

NBC News says 3 dead.

[CAHoya07]

As someone who has completed a marathon too, I'll reiterate just how awful this is. This has no place anywhere, but especially at a sporting event like this with such an international feel.

Prayers go out to the victims in Boston and all those affected. Apparently one of the victims was an eight year old boy.

Ironically, I type this as I prepare to go out for a run myself, but sports is a miniscule backdrop in comparison to the human tragedy here.

[DanMcQ]

2 dead so far, at least 130 injured... Ball bearings being picked out of victims. This was a coordinated terrorist attack. Despicable.

[DanMcQ]

News conference update:

FBI in charge of the investigation now through the Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force. "Ongoing crime investigation that has the potential to become a terrorist investigation."

No details being given yet about the specifics of the investigation.

3 dead so far.

[DanMcQ]

bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/04/expert_attack_could_be_work_of_one_person

www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/04/15/three-killed-more-than-injured-marathon-blast/qVYzbQNA4ZBmrpLFXklkzH/story.html

www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/04/16/apartment-searched-marathon-explosions/CBUjEY1ktWNHx6upXVZKlI/story.html

www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/04/16/boston-hospitals-treat-injured-with-wounds-more-often-seen-war-zones/YOH8K51BZ0sC3OEMwZv12M/story.html

www.wcvb.com/news/local/metro/-Unfathomable-loss-family-friend-says-of-boy-8-killed-in-bombings/-/11971628/19766602/-/13asw2kz/-/index.html

[Boz]

I continue to be shocked -- in the good kind of way -- watching coverage last night and this morning and seeing that the number of fatalities was not increasing.

Obviously, one death is too many, and of course there are a large number of serious, maiming injuries.

But thinking about it, the fact that more people were not killed in this incident is something I find miraculous.

That miracle aided of course by the first responders and medical personnel who undoubetdly saved many lives.

I think I might have an issue with the column that indicated that there is nothing that can prevent something like this in a free society, but that is a discussion that can wait for another day.

For this morning, I am simply grateful that my niece, a freshman at BC (I have forgiven her for that) who was in attendance, is healthy and well. And grateful for any Hoyatalkers and their loved ones who are similarly OK.

[SSHoya]

My cousin left the finish line about an hour before the explosions. She is a Syracuse grad, and I've not forgiven her for that . . .

[Nevada Hoya]

The big city marathons are the most susceptible major sporting events to terrorist acts. It is a wonder that this act of terror has not happened before, and I am sure that future marathons (e.g., NYC, London, etc.) will be on high alert. Up until now the most damaging event that happened at a high level marathon (the Olympic marathon in this case) was that de-frocked priest attacking the leader of the marathon late in the race.

There is a history of some great Hoya performances at the Boston Marathon. Jack Fultz (a 1976 grad) won the 1976 Boston on a brutally hot day in a time of 2:20:19. My classmate Eamon O'Reilly (C'66) was second in the 1970 Boston Marathon to Ron Hill of England (#1 in the world for a number of years) in an American record of 2:11:12.

[Nevada Hoya]

Jack Fultz also ran 2:11:17 in 1978 to finish 4th in the Boston Marathon. I believe that Eamon's 2:11:12 still remains the GU (graduate) record.

From wikipedia:

Fultz not only finished the Boston Marathon in first place in 1976; in 1995 he added the distinction of finishing in last place as well: Each year, BAA race director Dave McGillivray runs the Boston Marathon course after all the other entrants have started, and nearly all have finished.[4] In 1995 Fultz accompanied him on the run, and, as the two companions crossed the finish line, Fultz slowed down a step, thus making him the actual last official finisher of the day.

[DanMcQ]

www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/blogs/white-coat-notes/2013/04/16/boston-doctors-ball-bearings-nails-removed-from-patients-from-the-marathon/gkOVFyGMR5Rxeu2r7Dl43I/blog.html

Each doctor who has spoken before TV cameras and reporters this morning has described similar things: Pellets, small BBs, headless nails—projectiles they believe were packed with the bombs, removed from some patients by the dozens.

“My opinion is that most of them were in the bomb,” said Dr. George Velmahos, trauma chief at Massachusetts General Hospital. “I think it’s unlikely they would be so consistent if they were pulled out from the environment.”

Dr. David P. Mooney, Boston Children’s Hospital trauma director, described deep shrapnel wounds in a 10-year-old being treated there who is in critical condition.

Dr. Ron Walls, an emergency physician from Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, gave a similar description of the items found, saying that nails or small ball bearings were removed from several patients. The items “clearly were designed to be projectiles that were built into the device.”

At Boston Medical Center, Dr. Andrew Ulrich said the shrapnel “could be described as buckshot.”

[prhoya]

Nasty! Wishing the best to all injured...

[SirSaxa]

Apr 16, 2013 8:30:46 GMT -5 Boz said:

But thinking about it, the fact that more people were not killed in this incident is something I find miraculous.
That miracle aided of course by the first responders and medical personnel who undoubetdly saved many lives.

I've heard several Boston medical personnel mention the "field hospital" that had already been set up to treat runners following their 26 mile sojourn. There were 200 beds and was well-staffed with Docs and Nurses. Of course, no one was anticipating the injuries that occurred, but at least they had a huge head start as compared to a random bombing situation/location would have had.

In addition, there were tons of cops, national guardsmen, and others on site as well as plenty of ambulances. So yes, the victims were tragically unfortunate to be there but given that they were incredibly lucky to have so many medical resources close at hand - not to mention all those world class medical facilities in the city. That silver lining undoubtedly saved a lot of lives.

Like everyone else, I am waiting to see who did this and why.

[SirSaxa]

Jeff Green's reaction to the Boston Marathon bombing.. he lives a few blocks from the finish line:

"It was sad to hear about what happened yesterday," said Green. "You never think anything like that can happen. For something to happen here, right where I live, right down the street from where I live, and close to home, I mean, it's sad."

Green grew up in Maryland and tragedies dot his memory, from September 11 and the plane crash at the Pentagon, to the Beltway sniper attacks in 2002. He also played in Oklahoma City and recalled visiting the museum for the bombings there. His cell phone started buzzing on his way home from practice Monday, but he didn't know the full extent of what was happening in Boston until he returned to his apartment and turned on the news.

But even amid the chaos, Rivers and Green stressed pride in what they saw on the streets of Boston, the way people responded to the events.

"I know this is a strong city. I think we're going to do everything possible to help the victims and families and help the city come back and get back to the way it was," said Green. "It's going to be tough, because I don't think the city really had anything like this happen before. Whatever we can do, whatever I can do, I'm willing to help, because it's a tough thing to get through."

espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/9178472/boston-celtics-react-monday-bombings-boston-marathon

[DanMcQ]

Excellent news:

www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/boston-blasts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

(CNN) -- [Breaking news update at 1:47 p.m. Wednesday ]
An arrest has been made in the Boston bombings investigation based on two videos showing images of the suspect, a federal law enforcement source told CNN's Fran Townsend.

Suspect apparently identified in Lord & Taylor (store across the street from second bomb site) surveillance video.


boston.cbslocal.com/2013/04/17/cnn-boston-marathon-bombings-suspect-identified-in-surveillance-video/