Two explosions rock Boston marathon finish; injuries reported

Explosions On Boylston Street Near
Boston Marathon Viewing Stands

By Michael Muskal and Matt Pearce (L. A. Times)

Hotels in downtown Boston were immediately locked down and police were seen in video feeds from the scene sweeping the area looking for explosions. Restaurants and bars at the finish line were shut. The area is now considered a crime scene.

An unknown number of injured have been taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, and all hotels in the area have been shut down.

"Right now we have four patients and that’s all I can tell you," hospital spokeswoman Heather Clucas said. "I don’t have conditions or anything."

There was no immediate explanation of the cause of the explosions.

Bloody spectators were seen being carried to a medical tent that had been set up for runners finishing the annual 26.2-mile race.

The explosion took place about three hours after the winners crossed the line.

According to video, runners were heading to the end of the grueling race when a small explosion went off on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the bridge that marks the finish line. Automatic cameras on the bridge capture the runners as they finish.

Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa took the title in the 117th edition of the world's oldest marathon, winning a three-way sprint down Boylston to finish in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 22 seconds and snap a string of three consecutive Kenyan victories.