Boston Marathon Explosion: Three Kirkwood Residents In Race

Two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon had people carrying bloody spectators into the medical tent set up for runners. Back Bay Patch reports that the entire area of the finish line is now cordoned off as a crime scene. 

"There are a lot of people down," the AP quoted one man saying. The explosions happened about three hours after the winners crossed the finish line. 

Reuters is reporting there are no indication how may people are injured, according to a story on the Chicago Tribune website, which also said the explosions happened as people were cheering on those still completing the race.

NBC News reported fire engines, police and emergency medical personnel were headed to the scene. An affiliate reporter told NBC News she heard two loud explosions, and that "everybody kind of ducked and hit the ground," and Jackie Bruno, reporter for New England Cable News said she saw people with significant injuries, including one person with a leg blown off.

"Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror," Bruno said. 

Google has set up a "people finder" website where readers can find out about people who have not been accounted for or share information about people for which they have information.

According to the race's website, three Kirkwood residents, Jessica Nichols, Suzanne Person and Joe Shea were in the race. Patch will update this story with more information about where they were when the explosions hit. 

If you have information, email kirkwood@patch.com.

Eric Strand, a Drury Hotel executive from Town and Country who has had his running efforts profiled previously on Patch, was on the ground in Boston and tweeted a photo from his vantage point. He indicated that he missed the explosion by ten minutes.

For reporting from the Boston area, check out BackBayPatch.

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