‘Terrifying’: 5 Boston Bombing Heroes Who Put Aside Their Fears to Save Lives During the Chaos
Disasters generally bring an influx of negative media coverage, as tragic details emerge and shocking revelations come to light. Like other national horrors, the Boston Marathon bombings are disheartening, however, when one looks deeper, stories of heroism and bravery are also present beneath the rubble that immense terror left behind.
There's no doubt that many Americans are looking for a light at the end of the tunnel after these past 24 hours -- especially considering the evil we have observed. Alas, the following stories will inspire you, while also showcasing kindness and compassion in the midst of chaos.
While these individuals could have easily fled the scene to save themselves, they jumped in to help others in need.
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Carlos Arredondo
"My first instinct was to just run across the street and start helping the people," Carlos Arredondo said in an interview with ABC News.
And rush to the rescue, he did.
Earlier today, TheBlaze's Liz Klimas gave Arredondo's story, in detail:
Arredondo is the father of a fallen soldier who attended the race to watch those running in honor of these men. He was handing out small American flags near the finish line when the explosions occurred.">According to Maine's Portland Press Herald, Arredondo is the father of a fallen soldier who attended the race to watch those running in honor of these men. He was handing out small American flags near the finish line when the explosions occurred.
he tried to use his own clothing and towels he could find to stop the bleeding of victims.">Within moments, he and a man from Maine, who too was there to support runners honoring fallen soldiers, leapt over a spectator barrier toward the injured. The Press Herald reported Arredondo saying he tried to use his own clothing and towels he could find to stop the bleeding of victims.
he tried to use his own clothing and towels he could find to stop the bleeding of victims.">His valiant efforts went above and beyond, as he worked diligently to save lives.
he tried to use his own clothing and towels he could find to stop the bleeding of victims.">-
Joe Andruzzi
Former New England Patriots player Joe Andruzzi was among those helping out in the wake of the chaos on Monday. Andruzzi, who is involved in the marathon through a non-profit he works with, found himself at the epicenter of the explosion -- and its aftermath. But rather than run, he got involved and helped victims.
Photo Credit: Getty
Yahoo! Sports has more:
And as you would expect from a man whose three brothers were all first responders as New York City firefighters during the 9/11 tragedy, Andruzzi flew into action by helping those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing...he was involved in carrying those who needed help away from the scene so that they could receive medical attention. You can see a brief video of Andruzzi coming to the woman's aid here. She's clearly injured and is struggling to right herself, those around here are calling for help, and Andruzzi rushes to the rescue.
"Marathon Monday should be about uplifting stories, personal challenges and fundraising milestones, but today's bombings irrevocably changed that," Andruzzi said in a statement.
"While I appreciate the interest in hearing our perspective on today's horrific events, the spotlight should remain firmly on the countless individuals -- first responders, medics, EMTs, runners who crossed the finish line and kept on running straight to give blood, and the countless civilians who did whatever they could to save lives. They were the true heroes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy."
So, in addition to his heroic actions, it seems Andruzzi is also a pretty humble guy.
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Bruce Mendelsohn
Bruce Mendelsohn, a former Army medic, wasn't even outside when the bombs went off; he was in a nearby building celebrating at a post-race party. But when he heard the blasts, he ran out and took action.
This photo provided by Bruce Mendelsohn shows the scene after two explosions occurred during the 2013 Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts. Credit: AP
WPTV recaps his experience:
"There was like a flash, then a giant boom," he said. "The concussion blew me off the couch onto the ground."
The former Army medic rushed outside to find blood, glass and debris everywhere. He began applying pressure to gruesome wounds.
"This stuff is more like Baghdad and Bombay than Boston," said Mendelsohn, who works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "It was pretty terrifying."
Despite the horror, people like Mendelsohn and the others mentioned in this post didn't let fear paralyze them.
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Dr. Vivek Shah
Dr. Vivek Shah participated in yesterday's race. Right after he crossed the finish line, after running 26.2 miles, though, he found himself rushing to help what he described as "piles of victims." Describing the carnage, Shah told ABC News Radio, "Everything I saw was a traumatic amputation, basically."
An armed FBI agent passes a Boston police officer following an explosion at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts. (Photo Credit: AP/Josh Reynolds)
The orthopedic surgeon works at New England Baptist Hospital in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts -- but that doesn't mean he was prepared for this unimaginable scenario.
"In all my medical training, I have not seen things that I saw [Monday]. Everything was traumatic," the doctor said, noting that no level of training would prepare him, ABC reports.
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The First Responders
Unable to even imagine what they would encounter upon reaching the scene, the final party we will mention are the first responders (both those individuals who were already on site and those who arrived to assist victims). The injuries were so horrific, they are practically indescribable. Yet, these brave men and women helped those in need and were diligent in doing so.
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