Sara Stoffel, participant in the Boston Marathon this year from Murray, expressed her sympathies for the families affected by two explosions at the race Monday.
Stoffel finished the race at 1:58 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Shortly after 3 p.m. EST, two bombs detonated near the finish line.
Stoffel said she had just met her husband at a family area, a few blocks away from the finish line, and started walking away from the race area when they heard the explosion.
“It was extremely loud and we didn’t really hear what happened, we were getting on the subway,” Stoffel said. “I actually found out from my mom, she was in Iowa and called immediately to make sure we were okay,
“It’s just so sad. There were so many people still running and finishing and spectating. It’s just a timing thing, we could’ve been there. My husband walked through that spot only 20 minutes before.”
Stoffel arrived at her hotel and waited for more information.
Initially, the Associated Press reported more than 20 injuries from the incident in Boston. Over the next two hours, the numbers rose to more than 80. At 10:42 p.m. EST, the AP reported more than 140 injuries total, 17 in critical condition and three dead.
According to the Associated Press, the attack may have been timed to injure as many as possible. The four-hour mark is usually a crowded time at average speed for recreational runners.
The AP described the scene as terrifying; with billowing smoke and blood-stained pavement.
The 26.2-mile annual race had 23,000 participants this year, it is considered to be one of Boston’s largest annual events. This year, the race honored the victims of the Newtown, Conn., shooting with a special mile marker.
President Barack Obama held a press conference Monday afternoon at the White House, where he addressed the incident in Boston.
“We still do not know who did this and why,” Obama said. “But make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this.”
Currently, there are no reports on the motive of the attack and no one is in custody.
Story by Lexy Gross, Editor-in-Chief.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.