Chelmsford Man In National Spotlight, Community Coming To His Aid

A Chelmsford man has gained national attention over the past 48 hours from a graphic and tragic photo from the Boston Marathon.

The Huffington Post, the New York Times, the Lowell Sun, and various other media outlets have shared the story of Jeff Bauman, a Chelmsford resident and Chelmsford High graduate, who lost both of his legs in the blasts near the finish line of the race on Monday.

Members of the community have already come together to raise money for him on Facebook and Microgiving.com

On April 16, Bauman's father, also named Jeff, thanked friends on his Facebook site, saying the thoughts and prayers helped greatly.

“Unfortunately my son was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he stated, adding that doctors said he was “doing better” after the surgery that removed his lower limbs.

When family members arrived to see Bauman at Boston Medical Center, they had been informed that doctors had to amputate his legs at the knee due to “extensive vascular and bone damage.”

One of the people who helped Bauman be moved from the blast area was Carlos Arredondo, the man in the cowboy hat.

Arredondo, an immigrant from Costa Rica, was handing out flags to runners who were representing fallen soldiers, according to USA Today, including his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo, who died in Iraq in 2004.

Arredondo happened to be at the right place at the right time to help. 

"I kept talking to him. I kept saying, 'Stay with me, stay with me,'" Arredondo said.

UPDATE: People Magazine reports Oscar winning actor Bradley Cooper has visited Bauman.