Home thoughts from Boston

The Boston Marathon is an amazing event, writes Noel Brady, formerly from Mile Mill and now living in Norwood, just outside Boston. Some 27,000 people get together and run 26.2 miles from the suburbs into downtown Boston. Every year my wife and I watch the event on TV. The last two years we had the privilege of rooting for and cheering on friends who were running.

Ellie and Noel Brady.

This year, we were following Lucas Carr. We watched his ‘bib number’ on the Boston Athletic Association website, tracking his progress as he ran mile after mile. He crossed the finish line at 2:45. Five minutes later, as wave two and three of the runners came down already packed Bolyston Street two explosions went off at different locations. Many people were struck with shrapnel, glass and the like from nearby windows of shops and viewing stands. Complete chaos unleashed itself and produced a crazy scene. Three people perished, including a sweet 8-year-old boy who had just made his First Communion. Over 180 people were injured. Ten people lost limbs.

Lucas, a former Army Ranger, had finished the race only five minutes earlier, and was one of the first to run to help, moving fences and barricades to enable the medical staff to reach the wounded. Many of the runners including doctors and army personnel also rushed to help even though they had just finished the marathon. Somehow they found the energy. Spectators at the finish line also ran to help. In the midst of horror and unexplainable violence, image after image showed police, fire, medical personnel and private citizens running into the danger that day to help strangers. They didn’t flinch, run away or think of their own safety. It was an amazing thing to watch their total disregard for themselves as they only thought of helping the injured. Lucas and everyone else who ran into the danger are now heroes.

Thankfully there were plenty of medical personnel on hand to address the hurt and injured. Some people had to endure amputations of differing body parts at local hospitals and medical facilities across Boston. Many people were also treated for shock, head injuries and lesser ailments too.

A 16-block radius of the 'Back Bay' area of Boston was closed immediately to enable a thorough search. Local transportation systems had to shut down. Again a city in which has already being closely involved with 9/11 has shown that it is recovering and will bounce back from this act. Police force, FBI, ATF etc have promised a quick and thorough investigation. It was a sad day and something I'll never forget.

On a lesser note a few weeks ago we went along to the St Patrick's day in Southie (Boston’s Irish area). The parade rolled along fine then there was a delay of more than an hour or so all on a bitterly cold day. Next thing a portion of the onlookers became impatient and started becoming unruly and jumping fences and starting fights along the route causing fear amongst the remainder of the parade goers. Police swiftly were called in and order was quickly restored. Since the parade I have the utmost respect for these forces — if you like they definitely saved the day.

Unfortunately, these events will now make me think twice before attending public events.