Excited and full of life, an enthusiastic Martin Richard, all of eight years, was waiting by the finish line to cheer his father, Bill, as he crossed the chequered line at the Boston Marathon on Monday. His little 6-year-old sister Jane and mother Denise flanked him. But as his impatient eyes looked on in the direction of the incoming runners, a huge ball of fire engulfed the boy. Denise and Jane were knocked off their feet by the impact of the explosion.

innocence lost: Martin Richard (8) was killed in the explosion when he was standing at the finish line to cheer his father Bill, who was participating in the Boston Marathon