Vinton family home after witnessing New York City explosion

VINTON (WSLS 10) - A local family was just two blocks away as a bomb went off in Manhattan, Saturday.

GTO cadet Tyler Caldwell and his friends and family spent the weekend in New York City as he was honored with an award from the National Down Syndrome Society.

When the bomb exploded Saturday night, Tyler and crew were sitting on a double-decker tour bus just two blocks away.

"Our bus actually rocked, I mean, wasn't like it tipped up sideways, but there was enough vibration to rock a tour bus," Kathy Caldwell explained, Tyler's mom.

"Everybody's laughing and having a good time and then all of a sudden you hear that explosion and I'm thinking did we hit something. What has happened and it just go silent and everybody's quiet because I think were speechless," said Christy Paderick, traveled with Tyler.

Even more unsettling for Tyler's group was the reminder of 9/11.

They all had just left the museum before jumping on the bus.


About the Author:

After working and going to school in Central Virginia for over five years, Lindsey’s made her way back home to the mountains.