Bolingbrook Native, Boston Marathon Medical Tent Doctor Remembers 'True Heroes of the Day'

A 1990 Bolingbrook High School graduate and doctor was working in the medical tent at the finish line of the Boston Marathon when two explosions went off, killing three people and wounding at least 170 others. 

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Dr. Jocelyn Hirschman grew up in Bolingbrook and now works in northern Boston. The tent was set up to treat blisters, dehydration, hypothermia and post-race injuries. 

After the two blasts, the tent quickly became a trauma unit, as "bloodied spectators" and runners were carried in. 

"The BAA medical teams and Boston EMS were amazing," Hirschman said.

"They immediately converted the tent into a mass casualty triage center and organized us into teams to assist in stabilizing the injured. Despite the harrowing and gruesome images I will always carry with me, I also remember the true heroes of the day - the Boston EMS, the athletes and the brave injured."

Roger Hirschman, Jocelyn's father, told Patch that he spotted his daughter in a photo running to tend to the wounded on streets covered in blood. Everyone was "unbelievably professional," she said. Even the injured children were stoic. 

The scene was like a war zone, one medical tent nurse told Tewksbury Patch. 

"I had worked in an ER, so I'd seen (traumatic) injuries, but nothing like this. There was just lots and lots and lots of damage," said Kim Giroux.

"There were two people who were (declared) dead in Tent A. There were traumatic amputations, one man with both legs blown off by the explosion. There were people impaled by metal and glass -- compound fractures. It was like a war zone."

Getting out of the area was a "really bad nightmare" for Jocelyn, Roger Hirschman said. Her car was now in a restricted area. Her cell phone ran out of power. She walked for miles to get out of town and connect with someone to take her home. 

Nearly 40,000 people compete in the Boston Marathon annually with runners coming from all over the world.

Runners from Bolingbrook were also registered for this year’s race, according to the race’s website. Local runners include: John Brazda and Kara Bruzan. Brazda posted on his Facebook page that he is safe. 

Below is Patch's full coverage of the events on Monday:

• View Patch's full photo gallery of the explosions at the marathon.
• A witness from the scene of the explosion Monday said of the incident, "All of a sudden everyone turned around and was running in the opposite direction".
• Several throughout the state could not connect with loved ones on Monday, and as such, officials released a list of important phone numbers and websites to help.
• Blogger John McGrath writes on why Boston will be back.
• For parents, read about talking to your kids about the Boston Marathon tragedy.
• Also check out the social media reports from the incident Monday.