Breaking . . . Two “Huge” Explosions Near Finish Line of Boston Marathon

This story is just breaking. Two “huge blasts” were hear just minutes ago near a sporting goods store in Copley Square Boston. The local new anchor sounded near tears, saying “We have a terrible situation here,” It sounds like there are serious injuries.

The explosions came shortly after the winners  crossed the finish line. Other runners are being re-routed.

Injuries reportedly include people with missing limbs, head injuries, and covered in blood.

People are being treated on-site at the medical center for the marathon and being sent to local hospitals. This is one of the biggest sports events of the year in Boston. The Red Sox also play on Patriots Day beginning at 11AM. There are massive numbers of people in Boston to watch. I never go out on this day, because even the towns around here have parades, etc.

The two explosions were consecutive, about 20 seconds apart in two disparate locations. One went off near the Marathon Sports store on Boylston Street and the other on Massachusetts Avenue a few blocks away.

AP Story:

BOSTON (AP) — Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers in the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts.

Competitors and race organizers 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.

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 thunderous explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Runner Laura McLean of Toronto said she heard two explosions outside the medical tent.

“There are people who are really, really bloody,” McLean said. “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.”