Cellphone service kept on after blast
Cellphone companies said “service is operating in the Boston area, but with heavy traffic following the explosions at the Boston Marathon.” Earlier, a law enforcement official, citing an intelligence briefing, said cellphone service had been shut down in the Boston area “to prevent any potential remote detonations of explosives.” But officials with Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel told the agency there had been no such requests.
Sandy Hook victims honored
Monday’s marathon was dedicated in part to the victims of December’s mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. At the start of the marathon, 26 minutes of silence were held to honor the 26 victims, and the 26th mile marker was emblazoned with the Newtown seal. A team from Newtown was among the hundreds of participants in the marathon. The Newtown Strong charity, with which the runners were affiliated, posted a message on Facebook confirming that all its runners were safe.
Runner knocked to ground not hurt
A 78-year-old Washington state man running his third Boston Marathon was near the finish line when he was knocked down by one of two bomb blasts. He was caught in a news photograph that quickly went viral. Bill Iffrig said he heard a noise Monday and found himself on the ground. “It was only 5 feet away from me,” he said. “It was really loud.” He said he ended up with a scrape on his knee, and that a race official helped him get up.
FAA imposes no-fly zone
The Federal Aviation Administration created a no-fly zone over the site of the explosions and briefly ordered flights bound for Boston’s Logan International Airport held on the ground at airports across the country. The no-fly zone was to remain in effect until further notice, the agency said.
Technology aids search at scene
Far-flung family members, co-workers and friends frantically used social media, cellphones and even a “people finder” website Monday to try to learn the fate of participants and spectators. Google stepped in to help family and friends of runners find their loved ones, setting up a site called Google Person Finder that allows users to enter the name of a person they’re looking for or enter information about someone who was there.
Security tight around hospitals
SWAT teams suited in body armor and carrying assault rifles set up tight security perimeters across Boston hospitals, where victims were being treated. The Boston police said the heightened security was standard practice for such an investigation. There were reports that investigators were questioning at least one person at a hospital.
IRS gives more time for taxpayers
The Internal Revenue Service says Boston-area taxpayers need time to finish their tax returns without worry. Noting the tragedy of the explosions Monday the IRS said it will be providing individual tax filing and payment extensions.
