My Experience With the Boston Marathon Tragedy

My experience as a Podiatric Medical Volunteer at the 2013 Boston Marathon

Scott M. Aronson, DPM

President, Massachusetts Podiatric Medical Society

Easton Resident

Monday, April 15th (Patriots' Day here in Massachusetts) started like most other Marathon Mondays that I can remember.

I have been volunteering at the Boston marathon for the past 15 years. It was a bit chilly, unlike last year which was especially hot. The medical volunteers met for a meeting at 8am in the Dorothy Quincy Suite of the Old John Hancock Building. One of the most memorable times during this meeting was when the first time medical volunteers were asked to stand. Approximately 2/3 of the 1000 volunteers stood and were told to look at those still seated, they were told that those still sitting were the veterans. The "rookies" were told not to worry, that they all would be veterans by 2pm.

Well, who knew how true that statement would be.

The Podiatry team consisted of students, residents and attendings from near and far. Local Podiatric Physicians from Massachusetts included Dr. Scott Aronson, Dr. Carl Conui, Dr. Richard Cullen, Dr. Paul Heffernan, Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, Dr. Lori Lundberg, Dr. Paula Marella, Dr. Karson Mui, Dr. Kirk Neustrom, Dr. John Pizzuto.

Traditionally a group of students from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and Temple University College of Podiatric Medicine make the trek to Boston as a sort of "reward" for their involvement and dedication to podiatric sports medicine during their time at their respective schools. They were in Boston ready to work!

The excitement grew throughout the morning as we set up the medical tent on Dartmouth Street between Boylston Street and Huntington Avenue. As the temperatures seemed ideal, we didn't expect to treat as many runners as last year, however we were prepared. We cheered for the mens and womens division winners as they were escorted through the center of the medical tent. We knew it was just a short time later that we would be "treating the feet". Actually, the podiatry team is always prepared to help in any way that we can and are part of "the team".

The podiatry section is located at the front of the medical tent. Shortly after 1pm we began to treat our first patient. We continued to treat various foot ailments including but not limited to; blisters, lower extremity abrasions, nail trauma, tendonitis and stress fractures. We were able to provide some temporary relief and send the runners on their way. One minute the section was full and the next we were waiting for more runners to treat. Just before 3pm, the podiatry section was once again full. It was at this time that we were treating 5 active-duty soldiers from the Massachusetts National Guard. They began their 26.2 mile march in Hopkinton at 6am with 40 pound packs on their backs and in full combat uniform including workboots!

At exactly 2:50pm we heard a loud boom and the ground shook. Initially, I suspected a man-hole explosion. Shortly thereafter I could smell gun powder and observed volunteers, Boston EMS and spectators running toward and into the medical tent. I immediately sent a text to my wife alerting her that I was ok. Cell phone service was sparse. Texting seemed to be the only way to communicate. Many volunteers, spectators and Boston EMS began running towards the smoke. Quickly we began to see individuals with bloody faces, torn clothing, burnt hair and clothing staggering into the tent; some on their own, others in wheelcheers and a few on stretchers.

Unsurprisingly, most everyone in the medical tent rose to the occasion and began to help. First, we got the runners out of the medical tent that had already received treatment and were ready to be discharged. Next, we prepared for incoming trauma. We were not exactly sure what and how many victims would need treatment but we would be ready. Immediately we stocked up on supplies which we knew would be needed such as gauze, ace, tape, saline, gloves, etc.

Boston EMS instructed everyone to be ready! No one was to be a spectator, everyone was there to help! A young woman (apparently a spectator) was placed on a stretcher beside me. She had obvious lacerations to her scalp above her left eye and above her right ear. Her face was completely covered with blood. She also had multiple lacerations on her hands as well as burnt hair and intense ringing and pain in her ears. I believe that she may have been protected from further burns and lacerations by the leather jacket she was wearing. As I was attending to this young lady, another man and woman knelt beside me and the woman introduced herself as a nurse. Evidently they had been enjoying the beautiful day in Boston near the finish line and wanted to help in any way they could. She and the gentleman began checking vital signs as I dressed the lacerations on the hands and applied compression to the head wounds. We stayed with the woman while Boston EMS designated the victims, according to severity, to be transported to local hospitals via ambulance. This young female victim remained relatively calm even though she was also worried about her husband who was due to cross the finish line at the time of the blast.

As I stayed with this patient, I observed "organized chaos" within the medical tent. I saw things that I never thought I would (and should never) have seen. There are images that will forever be embedded in my mind. Fortunately, there was relatively little screaming or yelling. Like I said..."organized chaos". As the entrance of the medical tent slowed with no new victims presenting, Boston EMS continued to transport patients out to local hospitals. Finally my patient was transported to a local hospital by Boston EMS and I could then stand up and see what else was going on around me. There was a teenage boy (apparent spectator) still in the podiatry section being treated by my colleagues for a laceration to his inner right thigh. Eventually all the patients (runners and spectators) had been transported out of the medical tent and we were then told that we needed to evacuate ASAP. We were instructed that this was going to be orderly and everyone complied. A "new" exit was created on the side of the tent and in just a few minutes the entire medical tent was empty.

Most of the medical volunteers just stood near the rear of the tent which was in front of the Copley Plaza Hotel, awaiting further instruction. It was at this time, we heard and felt a 3rd blast (later finding out that it was a 3rd bomb that was detonated). This seemed to be closer than the previous blasts and we began to say our goodbyes. For the veterans, in past years it was usually a casual "nice to see you" and "see you again next year". For others, it may have been "nice to meet you". This year was different. There were hugs and tears. I often heard people saying to others without hesitation, "see you next year!"

I am truly blessed to be a part of this Boston Marathon Medical Team and look forward to working with each of these heroes and many new "rookies" on April 21, 2014.