Iowa City Residents React with Horror, Prayers of Support to Boston Marathon Explosions

Iowans are stunned and horrified, taking to Twitter to express both their disgust and condolences following the news of two explosions that occured near the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday.

See Also: Former Iowa Runner Nukuri-Johnson Reports She is Safe After Boston Marathon Explosion

Here is a number for friends and family members who are tring to call to check on friends, family: 617-635-4500.

Other Iowa City residents involved in the Marathon according to the Boston Marathon website. Only three are shown not finishing the race:

The blasts occurred just before 3 p.m. eastern time, according to MyFoxBoston.

Boston Police are reporting 22 injured, two dead, according to BackBay Patch. A media briefing is scheduled for 4:30 at the Westin Hotel.

Want to follow all updates at the scene? Go toBackBay.Patch.com

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.  

Do you know a local resident who is in Boston to run the marathon, or to watch the famous event? If so, message Patch, we'd like to contact them.

Three Cedar Falls brothers who were running in the Boston Marathon are safe, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports, following the news of two explosions that occured near the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday.

The Courier said Lisa Sevcik heard from her son Joseph Sevick that he and his brothers Daniel and David Sevick are safe. The three were running with the Iowa State University running club, according to Cedar Falls Patch.