AN eight-year-old boy waiting at the finish line to give his father a hug was among three people killed and more than 150 injured when two explosions rocked the Boston Marathon.

Tragic Martin Richard was standing with his mother and six-year-old sister, who both suffered horrific injuries, when bombs hidden in rubbish bins exploded within seconds of each other.

The lad may very nearly have cheated death after he walked out to embrace his father Bill Richard at the finishing line, according to local reports.

But Martin, from Boston’s Dorchester suburb, then returned to his mum – at which point the first bomb went off.

His mother is in hospital after undergoing brain surgery and his sister had a leg blown off. His older brother is said to be uninjured.

Friends held a vigil Monday night at local Tavolo Restaurant for Martin and his mother and sister, who suffered “grievous” injuries.

America is today on terror alert after the twin bombing attack.

Boston police closed off the city as a “danger zone” as witnesses described the “unspeakable horror” of body parts flying through the air and shoes that “still had flesh in them”.