Within minutes of the explosion, Twitter users (including one or two names you may recognize) were reporting and posting photos near the scene:
https://twitter.com/jbdatko/status/321034121965084672
A truck just exploded on the Queensboro bridge as we were getting off. Huh.
— Emma Rose (@emma_roseeeeee) April 7, 2013
Explosion or really big impact on queensboro bridge…LOUD pic.twitter.com/noEF150rvL
— Bart Silverstrim (@Bsilverstrim77) April 7, 2013
Possible truck explosion on the Queensboro bridge, Manhattan side. PD ESU enroute.
— Yitzchok E (@LoudAnClear) April 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/TheRonnieShow/status/321035416780275713
https://twitter.com/jbdatko/status/321035954007732225
Truck exploded on Queensboro Bridge pic.twitter.com/GARPYcRAN1
— Michael Batnick (@michaelbatnick) April 7, 2013
Explosion on the Queensboro Bridge 7pm, Apr. 7 pic.twitter.com/iUuqaGMRKJ
— Tunku Varadarajan (@tunkuv) April 7, 2013
Queensboro bridge is on fire… A car exploded. pic.twitter.com/tYbmO5mnMT
— Kate (@itskatea) April 7, 2013
Recommended
Anyone in NYC avoid Queensboro bridge. Big fire on bridge pic.twitter.com/MxSbCht4NS
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) April 7, 2013
WINS radio reporting truck fire is cause and 59th St Bridge is being closed. Mess and a half.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) April 7, 2013
It was nearly an hour after the initial explosion before the first local news article appeared online:
Truck Fire Shuts Down Lower Level Of Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge http://t.co/tmaFJ2dkpP
— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) April 7, 2013
Advantage: Twitter.