There were little wirey looking things at each of those tears - inside the tire. And one of the splits was on the inside wall, so it couldn't have been slashed. It does look pretty bad, though, doesn't it?
I guess it just hit the distance it was rated for and 'sploded.
I was supposed to go to a concert tonight about an hour or more away. Ain't happening, obviously.
That's a shame any way you look at it. I'm glad you had friends there who could help!