Sparta Grad Injured In Marathon Bombing

Among the more than 180 injured by two bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday was Michael Gross, a Sparta High School graduate, and his wife and sister-in-law.

Gross, 32, currently a resident of Charlotte, NC, has been released from the hospital after sustaining lacerations and third-degree burns to his head, face and arms, according to a report at njherald.com.

The former Sparta resident and his wife, Nicole, along with Nicole’s sister were standing near the finish line to support a family member competing in the marathon, the report said.

Nicole Gross and her sister remain in the hospital, the report said. Gross sustained two broken legs, and her sister had multiple breaks and needed a partial amputation of her left leg, njherald.com said.

Michael Gross graduated Sparta High School in 1998 and was a two-time state champion swimmer and record holder, according to the report.

The two bombs that detonated within a block of the Boston Marathon finish line killed three people Monday. Tens of thousands of runners and spectators flooded the streets of the city that day for the annual Patriot’s Day festivities.

Four competitors from Sparta took part in the marathon, . John Lee, of Sparta, had finished the race about an hour before the explosions and was a few blocks from the finish line at the time.