Jeff Bauman lost both his legs in the attack on the Boston marathon (Picture: AP/Charles Krupa)

The 27-year-old man who has become known as the ‘hero’ of the Boston marathon bombings after helping the FBI identify two suspects despite losing both his legs in the attack has received almost half a million dollars in online donations to help with his medical bills.

Jeff Bauman has become one of the symbols of the deadly attack last week after a graphic image of him being rushed away from the scene in a wheelchair with both his legs severed immediately went viral.

Despite his horrific injuries he was able to identify one of the suspects, with his brother revealing to Bloomberg News after he regained consciousness he asked for a pen and paper and wrote on it: ‘bag, saw the guy, looked right at me.’



His actions have inspired huge numbers of people to donate money to help with his treatment and rehabilitation.


Jeff Bauman was visited in hospital by actor Bradley Cooper and England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman (Picture: Twitter/Julian Edelman)

Mr Bauman is believed to hold health insurance but the money is being raised to aid his recovery.

A message on the donation page states: ‘We have created this fundraiser to raise money to help support our dear friend, Jeff and his family.

‘As most of you know, Jeff was severely affected by the tragedy that had taken place at the Patriots Day Boston Marathon this year. Throughout this difficult time we want to help in every which way we possibly can to get Bauman back on track as soon as possible.

‘Medical bills are going to start rolling in, let’s get a head start on helping out Bauman and his family! Every dollar counts!!

‘We all knew you were the nicest kid, now we know your the strongest!! [sic].

‘We’re all praying for a quick and safe recovery!’

At the time of writing donations had reached $449,000 with the page declaring a target of one million dollars had been set.

Mr Bauman was recently visited in Boston Medical Center by actor Bradley Cooper and England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman with the latter posting a picture of the meeting on Twitter.

Interrogators are waiting to speak to the chief suspect in the Boston attacks, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, after he was captured hiding in a boat in the suburbs of Watertown.

Three people were killed in the bombings on Monday with over 170 injured.

MORE: The donation page for Jeff Bauman