Day Four

Malcolm got home about 2am, and then left again at 6am. Today he is working in town, and also may be working out at New Brighton, where there is still no power or water. Rumour is that they may not get power or water for days, or even weeks.

The aftershocks have not been to bad today...quite small and some barely noticable...what a relief! But I always have in my mind that when it is relatively quiet on the aftershock front, it only means a big one is coming...

I have found some video footage...most of you may have seen these on the telly? This one is footage taken from about 1 minute after the earthquake. As you will see, there is quite a bit of panic at the beginning, then silence as people suffering from shock make their way out of the city.

Here is another video:

And another one:


So far the death toll sits at 113, but this is expected to rise.

There have been so many stories of heartache, here are some of which I have heard:

Baby Baxter - 5 month baby boy was having some 'tummy' time on the lounge floor when the earthquake struck. He was crushed to death by a falling television.

A Lyttelton husband - was in town and survived the earthquake. As the Lyttelton tunnel was closed, he decided to walk over the Port Hills (via the Bridle Path which is a good hour and half uphill climb) to Lyttelton to check his family. Once at the top of the Bridle Path he sent a text message to his wife "I'm at the top, see you in 10". But on his way down, an aftershock came and a boulder killed him.

It is hard to describe the turmoil which must be happening to families of loved ones who have perished. Words don't explain...