3 Dead, 176 Hurt in Explosions at Boston Marathon

UPDATE, April 16, 1 p.m. – Some New Hampshire residents were injured in the two bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon finish line on April 15, according to multiple reports.

The latest, according to state and federal authorities on Tuesday, is that the explosions killed three people, including an 8-year-old boy from Dorchester, Mass., and injured 176 people.

Boston Marathon bombings – RELATED NH STORIES:

• NH Residents Injured in Boston Bombings
• Blast 'Emotionally Taking a Toll' on Local Runner
• How to Help Marathon Victims
• Hassan: 'Our Hearts Are Breaking This Morning'
• Milford Runner's Son Survived Explosions at Finish Line
• State Rep./Blogger: 'Look for the Helpers'
• Portsmouth Runner: Felt 'Like a War Zone'
• Hampton Runners Safe After Marathon Blasts
• Exeter Marathon Runner 'Grateful to Be Alive'
• Local Witness Describes Chaos in Boston
• Newtown Runners Safe After Blasts
• Several MBTA Services Suspended After Bombing
• 'I will run again but ... I know it will never be the same.'
• Amherst Runner Was at the Finish Line When Bomb Blew
• NH State Police Beefs Up Security at Statehouse
• Windham Runner: 'The Boston Marathon Will Be Back'
• Seven Bedford Runners Finish Boston Marathon Before Explosions
• Salem Runners Safe After Boston Marathon Explosions

* * * * *

UPDATE 8:46 p.m., April 15 – There are now three victims of the bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, authorities said at a news conference tonight.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick says more than 100 people were injured in the bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The FBI has taken charge of the investigation.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m. – An Exeter woman who ran the Boston Marathon to raise money for victims of the Newtown shooting was a half a mile from the finish when the first bomb exploded, Exeter Patch reports. Julie Benson says she's "grateful to be alive." She also recounted extraordinary kindness from strangers along the course, including one man who volunteered his cell phone so she could call her husband.

UPDATE 7:41 P.M. – The FBI says state and federal law enforcement agencies have been activated for the investigation of the explosions at the Boston Marathon. Its statement just now: "The situation remains fluid and it remains too early to establish the cause and motivation. The FBI has set-up 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3, for anyone who has information, visual images, and/or details regarding the explosions along the Boston Marathon route and elsewhere. No piece of information or detail is too small." 

UPDATE 7 P.M.: New Hampshire's elected leaders offered thoughts and prayers in the aftermath of the explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line. Gov. Maggie Hassan said New Hampshire law enforcement leaders are in touch with regional and national counterparts and ready to assist in any way.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), who sits on the Senate Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said Americans in New England and nationwide "are sickened by what appears to be a cowardly act of terrorism."

At a news conference earlier tonight in Boston, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick called it "a horrific day" in the Hub. "My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured," Patrick said. "I have been in touch with the President, Mayor Menino and our public safety leaders. Our focus is on making sure that the area around Copley Square is safe and secured. I am asking everyone to stay away from Copley Square and let the first responders do their jobs."

UPDATE 5:26 P.M.: BPD has temporarily evacuated the emergency room at Tufts Medical Center. 

UPDATE, 5 P.M.: Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said during a media briefing that a third explosion occurred at JFK library. Boston Police are not certain if it was related to the incidents on Boylston Street, but they are treating it like it is.

CBS Boston is also reporting that federal officials have surveillance images of a man dropping backpacks into trash cans.

People are urged to stay home. If they are in hotels, they are being asked to stay in their rooms. 

If you are trying to locate a family member, call 617-635-4500. Google has also created a person finder to help people locate their loved ones.

* * * *

UPDATE, 4:21 P.M.: Boston Police report two people died and more than 22 people suffered injuries in the explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line, according to Back Bay (MA) Patch.

The Associated Press is also reporting that two more bombs have been found and deactivated.

The White House has issued an official statement: 

"The President has been notified of the incident in Boston. His administration is in contact with state and local authorities. He directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response."

* * * *

3:21 P.M.: Two explosions occurred near the Boston Marathon finish line around 3 p.m., with an untold number of bystanders suffering injuries.

WHDH Channel 7 of Boston shows video of the explosion going off as runners leg across the finish line, smoke rising from the side of Boylston Street. The marathon was suspended.

Boston Police are reporting that two people were killed and 22 injured by two explosions near the Boston marathon finish line. There are multiple reports of victims with missing limbs, bloodied heads and other extremely serious injuries.

The Boston Athletic Association issued the following statement around 3:45 p.m.:  "There were two bombs that exploded near the finish line in today's Boston Marathon. We are working with law enforcement to understand what exactly has happened."

New Hampshire Runners, Reaction

Londonderry School Superintendent Nathan Greenberg said that Londonderry High School math teacher Becca McMahon, who ran the marathon today, was not injured. "She completed the race prior to the explosion," he said.

Samuel K Fazioli, 21, the first resident from Salem to finish today, is also safe. He was back in his dorm room when he heard the news, according to his friend, State Rep. Joe Sweeney.

Heather Melito-Dezan, another Salem runner, is safe as well, according to her sister-in-law, Julie Melito.

Melissa Skarupa of Merrimack is also OK, according to her sister. She was about five minutes from the finish line when the explosions occurred and was re-routed.

Eric Cimon, who works at Access Sports Medicine in Exeter, was in Boston watching the marathon and posted a message on Exeter Patch's Facebook page a few moments ago.

"We have been in Boston all day, heard the explosions, saw people running," Cimon said. "We had just left finish area. Scared but everyone in our party is okay.

Stephanie Carignan of The Runners Alley in Portsmouth said all of the runners associated with the store are believed to be OK.

Marjorie Morse of Nashua was in Boston to cheer on her niece, Sheila Walsh of Malden, Mass. Morse said her niece was in a tent at mile 20 as the race was stopped.

"We are in a hotel near the finish line. Everyone is wondering how to get to the runners. It's crowded and crazy," said Morse, who shared a photo of a line of ambulances on the road.

The Union Leader is reporting that a group of about a dozen students from the Milford High track team who went to Boston to cheer on a coach and teacher running in the marathon are safe.

According to the Concord Monitor, New Hampshire State Police runners Scott Gilbert, Sean Haggerty and Jeff Ladieu are OK and are returning home. First-time marathon runner Walter Fortier of Concord is also reportedly safely at home.

Portsmouth-NH Patch reports that a when the first bomb exploded, but they are safely away from the area.

There are 377 registered New Hampshire marathoners, according to the BAA. Most runners in Boston arrive with a supporting cast of family and friends. Local runners by local towns include: Amherst (13); Bedford (12); Concord (6); Exeter (13); Hampton (4); Londonderry (7); Merrimack (5); Milford (7); Nashua (25); Portsmouth (21); Salem (11) and Windham (7).

Here is the unofficial list and link of runners' finishing times (note: a good number of runners did not finish before the explosions halted the race).

• New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan issued the following statement in the wake of the explosions:  “On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by today’s horrific events at the Boston Marathon. While there is much we do not yet know, we are all united in grief and support for the people of Boston and the first responders working so hard to save lives. New Hampshire’s law enforcement officials and emergency responders are in touch with their regional and national counterparts, and we stand ready to assist our neighbors in Massachusetts in whatever way we can.”

• New Hampshire House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth) issued this statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by the terrible events in Boston. The courage demonstrated by the first responders, volunteers and fellow runners providing care to the victims is a testament to the goodness of which we are capable."

• U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) released this statement:  "Citizens across New England and the nation are sickened by what appears to be a cowardly act of terrorism. All Americans stand with the people of Boston, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."

RELATED NH STORIES:

Portsmouth Runner: Felt 'Like a War Zone'

Hampton Runners Safe After Marathon Blasts

Exeter Marathon Runner 'Grateful to Be Alive'

Local Witness Describes Chaos in Boston

Newtown Runners Safe After Blasts

Several MBTA Services Suspended After Bombing

'I will run again but ... I know it will never be the same.'

Amherst Runner Was at the Finish Line When Bomb Blew

NH State Police Beefs Up Security at Statehouse

Windham Runner: 'The Boston Marathon Will Be Back'

Check back for updates.