Loading...
Lakeshore Advance, 2013-04-24, Page 3Wednesday, April 24, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 3 Grand Bend native gives blood in her Boston community CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1 knew to be true of the Clans lx'torr she began her 26- mile trek. When they arrived to Boylston Street near the fin- ish line, the cab driver told them there were too many spectators and it was better if he just dropped thein at mile 25. Begrudgingly, they agreed. In the end, that was a good decision. They Cheered on strangers; people in wheelchairs, blind runners, seniors, people in costumes and "everyone donned a backpack of some tY1x':' "It was just so inspiring, there were Alb many tears -of joy at that point," ;l Lesley. 'They were amazed by the marines, in full uniform, with USA flags, obviously proud of their coun- try. That sante marine corp. would finish the race an(I turn around to help the injured. They could track how far Siobhan Was because each of the c'hee'rs had a microchip b1) their jersey so at 4:04 1).111. the cheerleaders knew she had met her goal. They began to run to meet her and as they turned the cor- ner; not five minutes later they heard a noise that may have sounded like a canon. For a minute Debbie thought maybe it had something to do with the success of the marines meeting the finish line. "1Ne saw it, we felt it, our cars hurt," said Debbie explaining what they now know to be a bomb. (1 fearing specialists say an untold number Of people could be suffering from hearing loss or ringing in their ears, called tinnitus, though they did not seek out medical help immedi- ately. I ligh-energy sound waves from an explosion can damage the ear by destroying nerve cells or ripping through the delicate eardrum tissue that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. "Many of the patients with hearing loss that we're heating were right by the bomb site, but it's possible that less sever(' effects have occurred gi,hose who were 100 feet or more from the blast," said I)r. Alicia 1 'snel, all otologist at Massachu- setts Eye and liar clinic.) And then running- everyone was running and they heard the second bomb and saw brown smoke. "We gotta get out of here," these survivors said wits their next thought. 'the police who were inconspicuouslnonlents early were in high alert getting people out of the area and sirens were deaf- ening. Me eaf- ening.'Ihe sisters said they saw Rob- erta running towards them excited that Siobhan had made it- she had no idea they could L1e in danger. 'Ihe finish line became it war zone - and it was not lost on Debbie and Les- ley that this was exactly where they would have been had it not been for that taxi driver. They looked hack and the people they just cheered for moments before were now injured. The girls ran- still not knowing where Siobhan was. They were able to get it cab but there was too many of them to fit in one so two stayed behind for whirl they hoped was another cab soon. Safe inside they realized the driver had no idea what had happened- the radio was tuned to a music station. 'they told hint to change the channel. The second driver was in a state of disbelief telling the riders he was so sorry and it was not "their doing," meaning his culture. The streets began to close quickly and they reached their hotel that was about 20 minutes away. Security was already tight. "'The hotel staff could not (10 enough for us," said Lesley. "But we just wanted to get out of that city." I lours later; there was still no word from Siobhan. People had been hand- ing over their phone, but the cell tow- ers were inactive and no one could communicate. Finally after many hours, the runner was able to get through telling the frantic cheerlead- ers she had walked for miles to get to a safe place. She would eventually snake it back to the hotel where she was greeted by thankful tears. She had spent the entire time worrying about lite ONO sisters W110 were supposed to be at the finish line. The guilt, if any- thing (happened was huge and she had no idea Debbie and Lesley had never crude it to the pilloried on desti- nation. Many tears were shed as they all realized they were safe but that so many others Were injured. 'throughout the night the newscasts 11)1(1 people not to go out in groups, as a matter of fact- to stay put. "So we did," Lesley said. In the lobby of the hotel people were adamant they wen' n1)1 going to let "some crazy pe'rson,, keep thein away from Boston- they would he back. Would this group he back? Without hesitation Jessica said, "No." Me others thought nlaytx' it was Courtesy of Jessica Jeffrey The day of the race, moments before the bombing the local women cheered on the athletes. Shown here the group from this area and those relatives and friends from the west met in Boston to cheer on Roberta for the 5K and Shiobhan for the 26 miles. Back Row L -R Debbie Denomme, Shiobhan McCormick, Mareen McCormick, Lesley Jeffrey Front Row L -R Kelly Jeffrey, Roberta Robertson, Michelle Jeffrey, Jessica Bedard. The hunt was on for the bombers immediately after the bombs. Suspect one Tamerlan Tsamaev, 26 was killed in a shoot-out with police officials Friday night and his brother Dzhokhar, 19 is In police custody. too early to say. I )ehhie said she is re- thinking her plans to go to the Wind- sor -Detroit run where she planned to compete. "I fear going over that bridge," she said not knowing what she will do. The women had a wonderful "day after the marathon" planned, to explore the city. Instead, at 5 a.m. they showered and headed home - as fast as they could. (;erry'1huss, a superintendent with the Iluron-Perth Catholic District School Board, and brother to (;rand Bend's Martin Thuss, who is also a runner, was about 20 seconds from the finish line when he heard a loud blast and saw debris and smoke shoot into the warm, spring air from the left side of the finish line. Seconds later, another explosion occurn'd, this One even closer to him. I le said many runners were cross- ing the line at the time. As police and emergency crews raced into the chaos, he and others were being told to run the other way. "When the first one went off, it was extremely loud and it was right at the finish line. It went like a 45 -degree angle. There was the huge sound and then you could see stuff flying every- where. 'Then within about five to 10 seconds, manlier explosion happened about 20 yards closer to us on the left J1 1 side as well. It didn't seem to be as loud, but it was pretty crazy:' Ile said everyone on the course stopped running and froze for a moment as they tried to come to grips with what had just occurred. "We all stopped and we were sort of a bit in shock because we knew some- thing had happened. I went more to the centre of the roadway because everything was hapfx'ning on the side. It was such a shock" LIVING IN BOSTON Janna Lynn Weber Dupree, for malty of (rand Bernd has worked and lived and Boston for the past couple years. She said she is not a runner so she was not near the event, but lives quite near. When the Lakeshore Advance spoke to her on Friday, she said it was pretty quiet around her neighbourhood and her work was closed down, as was the city. "On Monday I was at work, 1 found out (about the bombings) through my Twitter feed and it was basically like work stoplx'd. Every, one was very con- cerned, locating those who weren't at work, all their friends and family members. And then there was a lot of confusion, I spent a lot of time follow- ing the news trying to assess what had happened. 1 was very happy to get home to my husband that night. " She said by Friday there were still a lot of unanswered questions around there "however, a lot of people are rallying." " My yoga instructor told ole today that as it running coach she has already had people completely new to running come to her because tht'y are determined to ruts next year. 'the peo- ple of Boston are tough and suintg like President ( )barna said, and they sure do pull together. 'Today at work they had the memorial on the big screen in the cafeteria:' Duprey says she lives in about 15 minutes from downtown where 111c' bombings happened. 1lutvever we know that area well, "it was directly beside the public library where Scan proposed last year:' "Thoughts and prayers are good for Boston and I know everyone here appreciates it. Putting your prayers into action is even better. Sean and I are planning on giving blood tomorrow. Something that we 1)0(11 hate doing but know that its the right thing to do. 'the city 01• Bus ton has also set up a donation site "One fund Boston" that many peo- ple are giving to, ewer bit Helps. Imp://www.onefundboston.orgr 11'ith files froom (,)1)11 Agony EXETERTOYOrA' car buying made easy weals' .REDS06, GROAT PINANCN RATO$ STARTINU rft)ri A% t &)W A% Irma' HYRAII) EXETER NEAOQUARTERS ` ` PMAUAMgY-NIONIJII'/1)tl11t PUN UP TCS MO/VTH35 �>tN .11C .PC1I 2011 MOOIISLR. Take the short drive. 242 HAIN S ; H. EXEtfR:1519.2352353 + 1.800.361.0677 tlj � lInt .11'11' 11 IN III i1 Dl':111'1'� .1 ,1 ,, n tl usalvsAsso Iiat*.11t .ncflw� IRS' w♦M elmoustpoitiNsiarn ©fi"' AMNIIM�IIIe11MI fiertoyota.ca '. r 11.4W42" etch lfj 41W.,RI IIIIp11111g61M1ty111 • 1/1N111M'i11, INIMr,yIVM tilimiebts,P,IP PPP*, 4" IOWA 0196064110•60,1 MNMIaMo,Ml AlilicakfLINSMAL PINNACLE AWARD for Exrolltlnoe In Cu$tOMIlf Satisfaction • - :s 3 (Ste r