Towson Teacher Injured In Boston Bombing Meets Hero Who Saved Her Life
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- When Erika Brannock of Towson left the hospital in Boston on Monday to head home, she thanked her support team but asked for one final favor: help in finding the woman who saved her life at the marathon finish line.
Mary Bubala reports she only remembered her as "Joan from California."
Erika Brannock and her sister were in Boston, waiting for their mom to cross the finish line when the bombs went off.
Brannock says she would have died from severe injuries, were it not for a good Samaritan. In all the confusion at the finish line, a compassionate stranger---who she recalls having the name Joan---made a tourniquet out of a belt to stop the bleeding. Part of Brannock's left leg was blown off in the blast and her right leg was broken.
After Brannock's plea was broadcast on CNN on Monday, her hero was tracked down. Wednesday, she flew to Baltimore to meet her.
Her name is Amanda North and she's from the Bay Area of California.
"I can't believe I have a chance to see her and give her a big hug," said North.
"I didn't think it would happen that quickly and I was amazed," Brannock said. "I was so grateful."
North, who is in her 50s and has two children, can be seen in photographs besides Brannock's injured body on April 15, giving EMTs a belt for a tourniquet to stop the blood from her leg.
You can see the full reunion on "Anderson Cooper 360" on CNN Wednesday night.
