The world watched in horror as the death toll from the Paris terror attacks steadily climbed. By the time the three-hour rampage ended on Saturday and authorities put the number of those killed at 129, onlookers could only brace for worse news to come. More than 400 people received medical treatment at hospitals in the stricken city, and dozens of those were listed in critical condition.
The second spike in the death toll never came. Just three of those hospitalized with grave injuries have died in the four days since the attacks.
The world-class status of the French health-care system deserves much of the credit. But a good deal of preparation, experience and more than a little bit of lucky timing also helped save lives.