Boston Marathon explosion: Britons tell of chaos

BRITISH runners taking part in the Boston Marathon have spoken of the chaotic scenes which descended on the race area in the moments after the explosion.

There were 374 Brits registered in the 26-mile event, according to the race website.

Among them was Abi Griffiths, who said the explosion appeared to come from a shop of ground floor of a building close to the finish line.

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“It was while I was getting my bag that I heard it go off”, Ms Griffiths told Sky News.

“It’s a weird human instinct that you know it’s serious. People looked around, saying what’s that. It was very loud. People didn’t know what do do, they were wandering aimlessly.

“Suddenly it went into a state of chaos. We were being evacuated out of the area. What should be a major celebration of running 26 miles became a frightening scene.

“The up side of something like this happening in the area of a marathon is you have are so many emergency service.

“It felt like it came from inside a shop. Along the street, it’s lined with people, it’s packed, so it’s really the epicentre of crossing the finish line.”

Jez Hughes, a firefighter from Morley, west Yorkshire, completed the marathon and was walking to the subway with his wife when they heard two explosions.

He had been standing only 100 yards from the finish line with other competitors but walked around the corner to meet his wife.

“I was waiting for my wife as I had asked her to meet me there but she was in the family area. Fortunately for me I went round the corner there to meet her.

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“While we were going to the subway we heard two explosions. I said straight away that sounds like a bomb and then we heard a second one.

“I’m watching the aftermath on the TV now, which is a bit surreal to be honest.

“My wife is very shook up but we are out here until Thursday evening and no terrorists are going to spoil our day, don’t let them get the better of you.

“Our condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones.”

Runner Darren Foy, 40, from Southampton and his wife Sandra and their two children missed the explosions by just 30 minutes after he finished the marathon in three and half hours.

Speaking from the city, the chartered surveyor said: “We got home and we looked at the BBC online and saw there had been explosions but we are OK because I finished in three and a half hours and we were on the bus when it happened.

“We are staying five miles outside and I’m not intending to go back into the city for a few days.”

Mr Foy, who is chairman of the Lordshill Road Runners in Southampton and was competing in his fourth marathon, added: “There are reports here that the explosions came from a hotel at the finish line and I walked past there a few days ago to pick up my race number.

“It’s such a soft target. There are hundreds of thousands spectators on the streets and 27,000 runners, so we got off lightly.”

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