Possible explosion at the finish line for the Boston Marathon?

[indysteel]

At the risk of inciting panic, I wanted to post this (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/explosions-reported-at-site-of-boston-marathon.html?hp&_r=0). There's apparently been an incident, possible a serious one, near the finish line for the race.

Crankin, any word from Oak?

[Crankin]

I just got home and DH just called me.
It's bad. Oak was right near the finish or had just finished. It shows her time as not done. I have not heard from her or her DH, although I don't know if he has my #. I am going to text her now. The streets are blocked off. Most of the injured were spectators. Of course, there were tons of doctors around.
I will let you know, please don't panic. The news reporters (not the sensationalist kind) are saying it looked like Iraq.

[indysteel]

I just got home and DH just called me.
It's bad. Oak was right near the finish or had just finished. It shows her time as not done. I have not heard from her or her DH, although I don't know if he has my #. I am going to text her now. The streets are blocked off. Most of the injured were spectators. Of course, there were tons of doctors around.
I will let you know, please don't panic. The news reporters (not the sensationalist kind) are saying it looked like Iraq.

Oh my gosh. Please keep us posted if and when you can.

[Crankin]

If she was close, they re-routed everyone to a nearby street and they were told to go to the family meeting area. I hope she is there.
I texted her, no answer.

[Owlie]

Hopefully she just doesn't have her phone on her or some other innocuous explanation...

[Crankin]

I am more worried about her DH. He most likely was in the stands, at the scene. From my calculations, she was at mile 25 when it happened.

[e3rdpower]

obviously this is only helpful is someone has internet access and can list themselves...

http://www.redcross.org/find-help/contact-family/register-safe-listing

[GLC1968]

A friend of mine who was there posted on facebook that none of her texts would go out even though she could receive them, so even no news from Oak might not be bad news.

Keeping my fingers crossed for her and her DH. (The photos are so sad!)

[indysteel]

I am more worried about her DH. He most likely was in the stands, at the scene. From my calculations, she was at mile 25 when it happened.

Cr*p. :(

[Crankin]

They are both fine! Cell service is questionable down there. Her DH texted me and then called me on my land line.
It will be awhile before they get back here; traffic, etc. is a nightmare. My son, who works in Cambridge, on the other side of the river had his whole building shut down and let out early... he works in a building with Google, Apple, etc, so they are not messing around.
The medical response has been awesome. It's being handled as well as any city could in this situation.

[indysteel]

I feel really bad for anyone injured by the explosions, and I certainly hope that neither Oak or her DH are among them. But even if they're fine, it upsets me that this may very well be her lasting memory of the race, after all she went through to get there. :(:mad:

[Catrin]

Oh my, oh my...hopefully they are both fine and just can't access a phone or the like for now...

[indysteel]

They are both fine! Cell service is questionable down there. Her DH texted me and then called me on my land line.
It will be awhile before they get back here; traffic, etc. is a nightmare. My son, who works in Cambridge, on the other side of the river had his whole building shut down and let out early... he works in a building with Google, Apple, etc, so they are not messing around.
The medical response has been awesome. It's being handled as well as any city could in this situation.

Thank goodness. Give them hugs from all of us if and when you see them.

Oak, so glad you and DH are okay!!!

[Crankin]

Again, they are fine.
We will debrief, don't worry....

[GLC1968]

Oh, phew!

I think that was the last person I knew who was there and everyone is safe...but what an awful thing all around.

[indysteel]

Thanks for all the updates, Crankin. It's much appreciated.

[SadieKate]

Thanks for the updates, Crankin. Very difficult to wait for reports of each person I know personally or through the interwebs.

[Owlie]

I feel really bad for anyone injured by the explosions, and I certainly hope that neither Oak or her DH are among them. But even if they're fine, it upsets me that this may very well be her lasting memory of the race, after all she went through to get there. :(:mad:

Now that I know they're safe, that was one of the first things that crossed my mind. :(

[Crankin]

You're welcome.
Ack, they just found 2 more bombs, which are being water bombed.

[Trek420]

Oh my, oh my...hopefully they are both fine and just can't access a phone or the like for now...

As often happens after a disaster the phone network may be congested as everyone calls at once or tries to. So we might not know for a while. :(

Suggestion is if you know anyone at the site check facebook, or ask them to log in here and report in.

[Koronin]

Glad they are ok. My prayers are being sent to everyone effected by this.

[PamNY]

Thanks for updating Crankin. My thoughts are with everyone affected.

[OakLeaf]

we are fine, on our way out of town. thanks for thinking of.us. I was half a mile from the finish and DH luckily was away from where it happened. what an awful thing.

[indysteel]

I just heard a report on NPR and learned that there are fatalities. I didn't pick that up earlier. It's just sickening.

[OakLeaf]

thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

[Owlie]

we are fine, on our way out of town. thanks for thinking of.us. I was half a mile from the finish and DH luckily was away from where it happened. what an awful thing.

Glad to hear from you, and I'm glad that you're okay.

[AppleTree]

Glad to hear from you, and I'm glad that you're okay.

Yes, so glad for that bit of good news on this day. Healing thoughts for the victims and their families.

[Red Rock]

Glad your ok and so is DH. Safe travels home. Prayers to all victims of this needless tragedy.

[redrhodie]

So glad you're safe, Oakleaf.

[Catrin]

we are fine, on our way out of town. thanks for thinking of.us. I was half a mile from the finish and DH luckily was away from where it happened. what an awful thing.

So glad you are safe! I was tracking you and was hoping you were far enough away to not get caught in it. Thoughts and prayers for all of the victims and their families. How can someone even consider doing something like this !?!?!

[Veronica]

How can someone even consider doing something like this !?!?!

Consider implies that they are reasonable. A reasonable, rational person would not consider it.

Veronica

[Crankin]

Exactly, Veronica.
Oakleaf and her DH have arrived "home."
Police were searching the local civilian airport/AFB in Concord about a half hour ago... then I just heard they have a suspect. Not sure if this is true or even announced, as I turned off the news. It chills me to think the suspect was trying to escape in my little town.

[ny biker]

Exactly, Veronica.
Oakleaf and her DH have arrived "home."
Police were searching the local civilian airport/AFB in Concord about a half hour ago... then I just heard they have a suspect. Not sure if this is true or even announced, as I turned off the news. It chills me to think the suspect was trying to escape in my little town.

I just read (from a news outlet on twitter) that one of the injured in the hospital might be considered a suspect.

But at this point it's really too early to know anything for sure.

[NbyNW]

Oak, glad you and your H are safe.

I've been watching the news unfold all evening and can't wrap my head around it.

[NbyNW]

Google Person Finder (http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions/)

[WindingRoad]

So glad to hear Oak, Oak's Hubby and Crankin are all safe.... thoughts and prayers to everyone.

[Bike Writer]

They are both fine!

Great news! in an otherwise awful news day.

[Bike Writer]

Glad you are okay. Horrifically some were killed and many injured, but every participant was affected by this.

[tealtreak]

Glad you are okay. Horrifically some were killed and many injured, but every participant was affected by this.

Indeed, including every athlete who competes, spectator who enjoys watching........military intell has been focused on covering athletic events as the next target.... no matter your politics it is sickening and a fact that terrorists seek crowds and dramatic impact......

[SheFly]

Oak - so glad that you are ok. This day has been surreal. Tracking down friends who were running, spectating, working in the area has been very stressful. Thankfully, everyone is now accounted for, safe, and uninjured. This is reminiscent of 9/11 for me - I had friends traveling and in NYC then and couldn't locate them either.

I am sad, and I am angry.

SheFly

[OakLeaf]

This is what I posted on FB:

In the midst of such horror, my stories are of generosity. Maybe one in six runners had a phone, and their batteries were already depleted from running with their GPS on, yet phones were freely shared to let other runners contact loved ones. I was able to contact Keith through the generosity of one of these.

The six or seven of us total strangers huddled in a close group hug, sharing body warmth to keep each other from hypothermia.

The people in the apartment along the course who opened their home to anyone needing water, a restroom, a place to wait.

This is the nature of most people. Never let the evil in the world overshadow that.

[Anelia]

Oak, so glad that you are safe! Your story about people helping each other is so touching! The event reminds me of 9.11, too. I hope they find the people who organize it.

[Owlie]

This is what I posted on FB:

In the midst of such horror, my stories are of generosity. Maybe one in six runners had a phone, and their batteries were already depleted from running with their GPS on, yet phones were freely shared to let other runners contact loved ones. I was able to contact Keith through the generosity of one of these.

The six or seven of us total strangers huddled in a close group hug, sharing body warmth to keep each other from hypothermia.

The people in the apartment along the course who opened their home to anyone needing water, a restroom, a place to wait.

This is the nature of most people. Never let the evil in the world overshadow that.

If this forum had a "love" button, I'd push it.

((Oak))

[snapdragen]

This is what I posted on FB:

In the midst of such horror, my stories are of generosity. Maybe one in six runners had a phone, and their batteries were already depleted from running with their GPS on, yet phones were freely shared to let other runners contact loved ones. I was able to contact Keith through the generosity of one of these.

The six or seven of us total strangers huddled in a close group hug, sharing body warmth to keep each other from hypothermia.

The people in the apartment along the course who opened their home to anyone needing water, a restroom, a place to wait.

This is the nature of most people. Never let the evil in the world overshadow that.


If this forum had a "love" button, I'd push it.

((Oak))

Me too. Well said Oak, glad you and hubs are OK.

[indysteel]

That's lovely, Oak. Thank you for sharing.

[Catrin]

Oak, thank you for sharing what you saw yesterday. So glad you and your DH are fine!

[Jolt]

I still can't believe this happened...Oak, glad you and your DH are safe and that people were helping each other. Prayers for all involved, and hoping they quickly find whoever committed this horrible act.

[maillotpois]

Wow Oak - I had no idea you were there til I opened this thread this morning. So glad you guys are ok and your post was beautiful.

[azfiddle]

Oak- so glad you and your DH are safe, and thank you for sharing the positive things you saw.


It is impossible for rational people to truly understand how the irrational mind thinks- and the sociopathy that underlies the ability to plan and carry out such devastating, horrible events.

We need to be buoyed up by the way that both trained professionals and caring strangers acted to help afterwards.

[goldfinch]

What you said Oak reminds me of this quote:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
― Fred Rogers

[hirakukibou]

I am really glad that you and your DH are fine, Oakleaf. Glad too that Crankin and Shefly are accounted for. I was luckily not at the marathon this year. Yet, it feels strange that an event that I grew up with has been marred in this way. What a stressful 24 hours. So far, knock on wood, all my peeps seem to be safe. I must admit that I am sort of in a daze; however, as a Bostonian I am amazed at the outpouring of well wishes for our city and people.

[Jolt]

For those who haven't seen the news yet, THEY GOT HIM!!!!! Hiding out in somebody's boat in their backyard. He's now in the hospital being treated for gunshot wounds and blood loss, and will be questioned once he's well enough. As you can imagine, there's been a lot of celebrating going on in and around Boston...I turned on the news and the first thing I saw was a huge crowd of people cheering in the street.

[Crankin]

Although I live outside of the area that was on lockdown, I am exhausted from following the news all day yesterday, wondering what would happen next. As I was driving north, toward my office, I heard a news person on the radio say that the search was going to be extended north, maybe to NH. I had a momentary second of fright, but it was just momentary.
Many, many people I know well were affected by the lockdown, including a friend from grad school who lives on the same street as the bombers. She was evacuated. I have another friend who lives in Watertown, and while she was not in the neighborhood of the search, she was posting from inside her condo all day; her sister does live inside the perimeter they established and she had SWAT teams in her home all day long.

[shootingstar]

It was necessary to apprehend him.

I feel sad on several different fronts:
For the people who died, who were injured.
For the family of the bombers. (When there is mental illness, marginalization in a family to lead family member to kill others..., it would be upsetting to other family members)
For the death of the lst bomber ....which to me, looked close enough be to a suicide also.

As for the cheering and all that. It's the total opposite ..it's all of the above.

[Crankin]

I am not sure what you mean by the above, Shooting Star. The clapping was for all the hard work of the law enforcement personnel and first responders in keeping everyone safe while trying to apprehend a very dangerous person. This point has been reiterated again and again by every person I've heard speak on the local news.

[Jolt]

Many, many people I know well were affected by the lockdown, including a friend from grad school who lives on the same street as the bombers. She was evacuated. I have another friend who lives in Watertown, and while she was not in the neighborhood of the search, she was posting from inside her condo all day; her sister does live inside the perimeter they established and she had SWAT teams in her home all day long.

Yikes! What a relief it must be for them now that he has been caught.

[Triskeliongirl]

I also think you misunderstood shooting star. I am with Crankin. My daughter was under lockdown. She lives on river street in Cambridge, the site of the police chase the night before. She spent 26 hours terrified and hungry under lockdown, listening to the sounds of gunfire and explosions. The cheers were in appreciation for the hard work of all involved (many first responders had been out there 24 hours straight with no rest), that they finally took him with no more loss of life, and people could safely go outside again, could sleep again, and at least most of them (or course not the wounded) could return to some semblance of normalcy. I am 55 years old, and I NEVER remember a major US city under lockdown like that for that long. They were cheers of relief, which is exactly what I felt when I knew my daughter was safe again.

[SheFly]

Like Crankin, I am outside of the lockdown area, but yesterday was very stressful, regardless. We stayed in most of the day with the doors locked, just in case. MANY of our friends live in the immediate area, including one couple whose house could virtually be seen in every press conference (they live next to the Arsenal Mall). With no public transit and people being told to stay out of the city, the environment was surreal. We did end up going out for a ride, and even, later, out to dinner, and the lack of traffic and busy-ness anywhere on a beautiful Friday was very evident.

I cried last night. I cried for those lost and injured. I cried for those I know personally who were impacted - as runners, as first responders, as those caught in the lockdown. I cried out of relief that the perpetrator had been captured with no further loss of life or injury to others.

I tell you all this to give you a sense of what it was like here emotionally, even for those of us 14 miles outside of Boston. The emotions were raw for a week, and will continue to be for some time to come.

Hug your loved ones. Take time for your family and friends. Enjoy what the day gives you - every day. In the words of my adopted home this week - "stay Boston strong".

SheFly

[Crankin]

SheFly echoes everything I feel. I have always been extremely proud of my birthplace and its unique place in history.
Which is why after 21 years in 2 other states where the "living was easy," I chose to return, so my own children could experience what I did.
And, I'm really glad I did.

[Triskeliongirl]

SheFly echoes everything I feel. I have always been extremely proud of my birthplace and its unique place in history.
Which is why after 21 years in 2 other states where the "living was easy," I chose to return, so my own children could experience what I did.
And, I'm really glad I did.

This impacted me a lot emotionally too. Not just because I had to comfort a daughter through it but it was my hood too. I grew up in a suburb of Boston, was educated in Boston /Cambridge, ran the Boston marathon in my youth. For me it got really personal when the MIT officer was killed. I was a postdoc at MIT, its where I met my husband. It's where my son did his undergrad studies, its where my daughter is starting her PhD studies, in fact it happened right outside the neuroscience building where my daughter will soon be working. My daughter posted on Facebook my phone keeps auto correcting gun shots to fun shots. Indeed what 26 year old should be posting about gun shots! The coolest part was when they were under lockdown and couldn't go out to buy food I told her pool ingredients with folks in the other units in your building and make a wonderful terror Day meal that one day u an tell your children about. And that is exactly what they did. People were applauding because they felt SAFE again.

[Bike Writer]

I was grinning ear to ear when I saw the people of Boston cheering and celebrating last night. There had been enough sadness, fear and terror for those who were basically under house arrest and could not leave their homes and had to fear getting caught in fallout from a gun fight. Reminds me of the great old popular tune from The Byrds, right out of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 with poetic license.

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

[Jolt]

The coolest part was when they were under lockdown and couldn't go out to buy food I told her pool ingredients with folks in the other units in your building and make a wonderful terror Day meal that one day u an tell your children about. And that is exactly what they did.

What a cool way to make the best of a really bad situation. I'm sure they will, indeed, all tell their children about it someday.

[shootingstar]

Maybe I have bad memory but thought I did post something again ..maybe it got erased.

Actually...there IS a personal connection to Boston/Cambridge: a nephew is living there because he is going to university there. He is the son of sister who died by suicide.

We may hear abit from him about the lockdown when I attend his wedding next month in Ontario (his fiancée is in Canada studying also). But given that occasion, we will think of his mother and missing her during happier time then. Less on the lockdown.


I was confident he was safe. Shefly & others: take me not for being cold. My heart worries long before this bombing and long, after this bombing, for her children.

Above all, those who died and those permanently disabled by the bombing, it is most grievous.

[Koronin]

I was very relieved last night to see they captured the 2nd suspect. I hope he does recover so they can question him. I really felt for Boston yesterday espcially, but all week. I truly hope that some semblance of normalcy is able to return to all who call the Boston area home.

[Trek420]

I was grinning ear to ear when I saw the people of Boston cheering and celebrating last night. There had been enough sadness, fear and terror for those who were basically under house arrest and could not leave their homes and had to fear getting caught in fallout from a gun fight. Reminds me of the great old popular tune from The Byrds, right out of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 with poetic license.

I agree. Today I'm very happy for the people of Boston also and proud of our first responders :)

Turn, turn, turn was put to music by the great singer/songwriter Pete Seeger in about 1959. He recorded it shortly thereafter like '62 I think. The Byrds recorded a cover of his song in about '66. Here he is singing many years later with some additional verses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7pzic4mf7o

[AppleTree]

I agree. Today I'm very happy for the people of Boston also and proud of our first responders :)

Turn, turn, turn was put to music by the great singer/songwriter Pete Seeger in about 1959. He recorded it shortly thereafter like '62 I think. The Byrds recorded a cover of his song in about '66. Here he is singing many years later with some additional verses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7pzic4mf7o

Pete Seeger is a national treasure. There is a version of this song he did with Judy Collins that is haunting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

So glad Bostonians can start to get back to normal. What an awful week.

[Trek420]

Pete Seeger is a national treasure. There is a version of this song he did with Judy Collins that is haunting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Yes he is! I found the Collins/Seeger performance. Here's Judy Collins with Johnny Cash :cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1-PIjB3uJs

Anyway, I'm surfing off to update my stats on Plus3 network. They're doing a challenge where your miles/hours go towards the One Fund, a charity to help those hurt by the Boston bombing.

[Bike Writer]

I agree. Today I'm very happy for the people of Boston also and proud of our first responders :)

Turn, turn, turn was put to music by the great singer/songwriter Pete Seeger in about 1959. He recorded it shortly thereafter like '62 I think. The Byrds recorded a cover of his song in about '66. Here he is singing many years later with some additional verses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7pzic4mf7o That was a great video, thanks for sharing.


Pete Seeger is a national treasure. There is a version of this song he did with Judy Collins that is haunting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

So glad Bostonians can start to get back to normal. What an awful week. I'm going to have to hunt that one down with Judy Collins, sounds like a great rendition.

[Crankin]

I've always loved that song. Once in a great while, I'e heard the verses said in a service at my temple. I always think, "Hey they're saying that song!"

[tulip]

My stepfather lives about a mile from the capture in the boat. He could hear the helicopters and thought he could hear shooting, but he wasn't certain if he actually heard it. I used to live there, too, and know the neighborhood well. Quite a week in the town of my childhood!