Martin Richard, the 8-year-old boy from Dorchester, Massachusetts, waiting at the finish line to give his father a hug, was among three people killed and more than 152 injured when two explosions rocked the Boston Marathon in the worst terrorist atrocity since 9/11.

Martin Richard died after the first of two bombs hidden in trash cans were detonated within 12 seconds of each other during the Patriots’ Day bank holiday yesterday.

Seventeen of the injured are in a critical condition and CNN reported that at least 10 victims have needed amputations. At least 8 of the wounded are thought to be children, including a 2-year-old boy who suffered a head injury.

Another was 11-year-old Aaron Hern, of Martinez, California, who was hit by flying shrapnel in his thigh as he waited for his mother to cross the finish line. He is being treated at Boston Children’s Hospital and is expected to undergo further surgeries.

Martin Richard may very nearly have cheated death after walking out to embrace his father Bill Richard as he went to cross Boston Marathon finishing line

Investigators do not know of a motive for the bombers, nor do they have a specific suspect. But last night detectives raided a Boston home after a man, said to be of Saudi origin, was arrested at the scene for acting suspiciously and taken to hospital, where he was treated for burns and shrapnel wounds.

The Boston Globe has reported that Martin Richard may very nearly have cheated death after walking out to embrace his father Bill Richard as he went to cross the finishing line.

But when Bill Richard walked on, Martin turned back to rejoin his mother and two of his siblings just as the first bomb exploded.

Martin Richard’s 6-year-old sister, Jane, lost a leg in the blast and his mother, Denise, is in hospital after undergoing brain surgery. His older brother, Henry, 12, believed to be in the 5th grade, escaped injury.

Martin Richard, right, pictured with his mother Denise, sister Jane, older brother Henry and father Bill

According to 7News, a candle was lit outside the family home and the word “Peace” written on the pavement.

Bill Richard is understood to be a popular community leader in the Boston suburb.

Martin Richard was a keen baseball player, climber and runner and was a member of Savin Hill Little League team.

On Twitter, Maeve O Brien called him “the sweetest little boy I’ve ever met”.

As the FBI took over the investigation, authorities shared no information about a motive or who may have carried out Boston Marathon bombings, and police said they did not have any suspects in custody.

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