Chaos as blasts rock Boston Marathon
SA runners’ fate unknown after Boston bombs
TWO explosions struck the Boston Marathon as runners crossed the finish line yesterday, killing two people, injuring at least 100 and sending authorities rushing to aid spectators.
One runner, a police officer, said he saw at least two dozen people with very serious injuries, including missing limbs.
Boston police said later that an explosion had also occurred at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, but they did not know if the incidents were related.
It was not known after midnight (SA time) if all the South Africans participating in the race were safe.
At least 19 South Africans were listed among runners who finished the race.
Disabled legend Ernst van Dyk, who has won this race nine times, tweeted: “Just letting everyone know I’m OK. It’s pretty rough out there and my thoughts are with those who got hurt.
“Was attending a post race event & the 2nd explosion was right across the street. Was terrible to see it all.” Double Olympian Rene Kalmer, of Roodepoort in Gauteng, who clocked 2hr 38min 09sec, told friends on Facebook: “Safe after the explosions at the finish line.”
While several of the runners are based overseas, 11 are South African residents from different parts of the country, including Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Umhlanga Rocks and Johannesburg.
A South African official last night said : “We are liaising with US authorities and our embassy to ascertain whether any of our citizens were injured.”
The annual marathon takes place on Patriot’s Day, a state holiday that celebrates the evacuation of Boston by the British in the American Revolution.
Police reported at least one explosion and witnesses said there were two, which hit as spectators were cheering on runners finishing the race.
Marathon officials said bombs had caused the two explosions and that organisers were working with authorities to determine what happened.
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.
Authorities went on to the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 42km race were rerouted away from the smoking site.
Roupen Bastajian, 35, a state trooper from Rhode Island, had just finished the race when they put the heat blanket wrap on him and he heard the first blast about three hours after the front runners had finished.
“I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the ground,” he said. “At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing.”
Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world’s oldest and most prestigious street marathon.
Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running.
She said: “Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head.”
The White House said late last night (SA time) President Barack Obama had been notified. The administration said it was in contact with state and local authorities and Obama had directed his administration to provide whatever assistance was necessary in the investigation and response.
The race started with 26 seconds of silence in honour of the victims of the December school shooting in Connecticut.