BOSTON (AP/WMOT) — Boston police commissioner Ed Davis says the number of people injured in yesterday’s bombing has risen to 176, with 17 of those in critical condition
Three people were killed, including an 8-year-old boy.
More than 260 Tennesseans were registered to run in the Boston Marathon, including a large contingent from the mid-state. There were more than 50 runners registered for the race from Nashville, 17 from Franklin, 13 from Clarksville and 10 from Murfreesboro.
There are currently no reports of injuries among race participants from Tennessee.
Middle Tennessee State University accounting professor Dr. Paula Thomas was running in the marathon, but had not quite reached the finish line when she learned of the explosions.
“Then we heard very, very soon that people had been killed. So it was just absolutely devastating to hear that and I stopped and got very, very teary-eyed and emotional. There were people all around who had family at the finish line, not knowing if they were OK or not.”
Dr. Thomas says she had trouble getting back to her hotel room located just a couple of blocks from the bombing site, but found lots of help along the way.
“We were trying to find our way because the main roads were blocked, subway systems of course closed down, and people just stopped us to ask if they could help us. It was an amazing outpouring of human kindness.”
Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson says the bombing will factor into planning for next week’s Music City Marathon. Anderson says his department will be in contact with law enforcement in Boston before finalizing security measures for the annual Nashville race.