Maryland Preschool Teacher Injured As She Cheered On Mom At Boston Marathon
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- As the investigation continues into the terrorist bombings in Boston, a local preschool teacher is among the seriously injured.
Mary Bubala reports Erika Brannock, 29, is undergoing a second surgery after being wounded in the bombings.
Brannock, of Cockeysville, was in Boston to watch and cheer on her mom -- Carol Phillips Downing -- who was running in the marathon.
Brannock, her sister and brother-in-law were all at the finish line when the bombs went off.
Brannock, a Howard County native who teaches at a Towson preschool, sustained extensive injuries to her legs and feet, according to reports from her family.
"The latest that we heard from her mom is that she was going back into surgery [Tuesday] morning. She's got severe injuries to both of her legs and they were working on, I believe, reconstructing her right foot this morning," said Liz Harlan, Brannock's colleague and friend.
They also say her sister's legs are broken and her brother-in-law suffered severe burns.
Brannock's Facebook page is filled with messages of concern and support as her friends and colleagues in Maryland worry for her and wait for more information as she undergoes a second surgery at a Boston hospital.
"We did not get word from her mom until about around 11:30 [Monday] night that she was in the ICU in the hospital and her mom was with her," Harlan said.
Brannock teaches 2 year olds at Trinity Episcopal Children's Center in Towson. Parents, teachers and school leaders are praying for her.
"We're thankful that she's still alive. She's in the hospital, but she's still in very critical condition," Harlan said.
Her school put this statement up on its Facebook page:
"The tragedy in Boston has touched the Trinity community in a very real way. One of our teachers of 2 year olds at Trinity Episcopal Children's Center, Erika Brannock, was there to cheer on her mom who was running the marathon. Please pray for Erika and her family."
Children from Brannock's preschool made a get well card for her that they are sending to her hospital in Boston.
