Mass. Natives Escape Chaotic Scene Of Nice, France Truck Attack
BOSTON (CBS) – A pair of Massachusetts natives recalled the chaotic scene after at least 84 people were killed during a Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, France.
Police say 31-year-old Mohamed Bouhlel drove a large truck through a crowd of people who had gathered to watch fireworks. In addition to 84 deaths, around 50 people are said to be "between life and death" after the attack.
When the truck came to a stop, police surrounded the vehicle and fatally shot Bouhlel.
GUNFIRE AND CHAOS
Dana Carne, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, had watched the fireworks as a part of his vacation up the Mediterranian coast.
Carne and his husband walked to a nearby café and had only been inside for about a minute when they heard the chaotic screams of people running from the scene.
"We had just put in an order, and all of the sudden we saw people running towards us screaming. Then 'Pop, pop, pop, pop' of guns very close to us. We had no idea exactly what was going on at the time," recalled Carne, who said he was not sure if he was hearing the sound of prankster or the "worst case scenario" that had played out.
"We're very fortunate that police killed the driver by the time he got to that spot because one more block he would have been to where we were at."
Bill Rapp, a former reporter in Springfield who now lives in the Nice neighborhood where the attack took place, had watched the fireworks from a park a short distance away because he does not like being in crowds.
RUNNING AND SCREAMING
The couple knew something had happened because of screams from the crowd, but it was not clear exactly what they were running from.
"I saw a young girl clutching at an older woman and screaming. She looked terrified. I didn't think much of it, and then other people started running," he said."It was really difficult to know what was going on and where it was coming from when people are literally running in four different directions."
Rather than ducking into one of the nearby businesses, Rapp and his wife opted to hurry back to their apartment, which is about four blocks away from where the truck came to a stop.
"I'm still trying to process and it's more upsetting as the hours go on. We could've gone down four blocks and watched fireworks. And that is exactly where that truck still is right now," Rapp said. "I've seen it today with bullet holes through the window. If we had not gone to the park because we had a puppy and we wanted her to be able to roll around in some grass, it might be a different discussion today."
"A VERY CLOSE CALL"
Carne said one of his first thoughts following the attack was the scene at Mass General Hospital following the Boston Marathon bombings.
He said his instinct was to help the wounded in Nice, but once he got closer to the scene he heard gunfire and realized he would only be putting himself in harm's way.
A day later, Carne said he is still coming to grips what he witnessed.
"It's still processing. On one hand, we're safe which is great. On another hand, it was a very close call for us," said Carne.