Three die in bomb blasts at Boston Marathon
[gallery] An eight-year-old boy was among three people killed in the Boston Marathon bomb blasts, which left 150 others injured, including 17 critical.
Martin Richard was waiting to hug his father at the finish line when the first bomb went off.
His six-year-old sister lost a leg in the blast and his mother Denise is in hospital after undergoing brain surgery.
Martin's older brother, believed to be aged 10, escaped injury. Members of the family including his father Bill, from Dorchester in Massachusetts, are keeping a bedside vigil.
The FBI confirmed today that the explosions were being treated as terrorist attacks.
Reports say CCTV shows a man carrying two backpacks near the scene of the explosions, which were thought to have come from litter bins.
The death toll is expected to rise, with 17 people fighting for their lives, 30 requiring amputations, and another 25 seriously injured.
At least eight of the wounded are thought to be children, including a two-year-old boy who suffered a head injury.
Security for Sunday's London marathon was today being reviewed in light of the attacks but Prince Harry has announced he will still present medals to those who complete the event.
The blasts happened 12 seconds and 100 yards apart in a crowd of spectators, sending smoke into the air and leaving blood on the pavements.
They were just feet from where hundreds of runners were crossing the finishing line of the world's oldest annual marathon in Boylston Street.
Federal officers have said that both bombs were small, and initial tests showed no C4 or other high-grade explosive material, suggesting that the devices were crudely made.
President Barack Obama vowed: "Make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this, and we will find out who did this."
One runner who was knocked off his feet by one of the explosions got up and walked the remaining 12 feet across the finish line.
Bill Iffrig, 78, was running the marathon for the third time and said: "After 26 miles, you're not going to stop there."
A minute's silence was held at the New York stock exchange today.
And at a Press conference this afternoon the Mayor of Massachusetts Thomas Menino said:?"This is a bad day for Boston . . . but if we work together, Boston will overcome.
"We've got it under control. This is a tragedy but Boston is a strong city."
The Shropshire Star would like to hear from any of our readers in Boston. Get in touch on Twitter @Shropshirestar or via e-mail newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk
Terror at the finishing line - See today's Shropshire Star
