The carnage created by two bombs in Boston was described as being like a “war scene” by an Ilkley runner, who reached the finish line only eight minutes before the first explosion.

Armed police patrolling the streets, debris strewn across the marathon course by terrified runners and a suspended mobile phone network amid fears of more explosions were just some of the details described by Ilkley Harriers member, David Brown, 46, of Ben Rhydding, who was standing 100 yards away when he saw the first blast out of the corner of his eye.

He was in Boston with fellow members, wife Rosalind and their friend Andrew Merrick, a chief financial officer for Irwin Mitchell, who lives in Ilkley.

Mr Brown, a management consultant in Leeds, had just put his heat blanket on when he heard the blast and saw plumes of smoke billowing up.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus from Boston last night, he described how runners were ushered out of the first aid areas as medics rushed in the seriously wounded, as well as treating them on sidewalks in a desperate attempt to save lives.

Mr Brown also spoke of his panic at failing to find his wife, who had arranged to meet him at the finish line.

“I was just about to go to the family reunion area when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the first explosion about 100 yards behind me. Then the second explosion 13 seconds later and it was just pandemonium,” he said.

“I decided to stick to the plan and meet my wife in the family reunion area, but she wasn’t there and I started to panic. The crowd was getting smaller and smaller.

“None of the phones were working over here in case other devices detonated by telephone.

“I was taken to first aid because I was shaking and then got through to Andrew at the hotel who said my wife was safe. She was so lucky to be delayed at the finish line.

“We were able to go back to the marathon area yesterday and it looks like a war scene, because nothing has been touched because of the police operation.

“People have lost arms and legs and I saw one of the runners fall down and we have heard that the casualty count has gone up to about 177.

“We didn’t sleep very well because we are all in a state of shock.

“Something like that makes you realise suffering from cramp is relatively minor.”

A plane at the local airport was also grounded as the authorities remained on high alert.

It is the third time Mr Brown has attempted the Boston Marathon. The first time he didn’t make it because of the volcanic ash cloud and the second time he was taken to hospital after tripping on a kerb damaging his ligaments.

Mr Merrick, who was group finance director of Yeadon-based Dart Group, owner of leisure airline Jet2.com until last Thursday, had been sitting on Boston Common after finishing the race when he heard a bang.

“I thought it was two motorbikes backfiring,” he said.

“It was only when I heard the sirens I realised it was something more serious.

“There is a very odd atmosphere around the place with lots of police on the street .

“The whole marathon has faded into the background. It all feels slightly surreal.”

The Browns and Mr Merrick were expected to arrive back in the UK today.