Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Again: Is everyone okay?

897 Responses

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  • Sacha, in reply to Rob Hosking,

    Got friends in Lyttleton and I'd have expected the odd camera shot from a helipopeter

    TV3 story, links to clip

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Just checking in, so pleased to hear PAS crew largely safe but my heart goes out to all for the difficult days ahead. Arohanui.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    To further debunk the John Key/green screen conspiracy theory - another reason it's unlikely is that TVNZ's Christchurch studio was wrecked by the earthquake. It would be a million times easier for them to shoot the PM in the street than muck around with locating a green screen and getting it set up.

    I'm sure if they had more time, they'd have been able to make the lighting look better, but in times like these, there are bigger priorities in television news reporting.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Also on Twitter @safeinchch is a central point for those seeking to confirm their family members are well.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    65.... 200....400.

    Three numbers have emerged this evening on TV. I suspect it will no doubt will be NZ's worst disaster. They say 125 have been rescued. There will be more. But they won't all be alive.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Deborah,

    I’m finding that piccie of little Polly Haywood very heartwarming at present. I managed to miss the news that she existed at all. A beautiful wee girl. I’m hoping that maybe the PAS community could find something to do to help her and her family recover from this. And the other PAS folk in Christchurch.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Paul, Deborah: yes. Let's see tomorrow what we can do for the Hay-Haywoods.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    This is no longer a case of NIMBY. If there is ever a time to listen to Earthquake Engineers and their thoughts on what buildings should be rebuilt, pulled down or the rejection of plans for houses on the edge and sides of precipices then it will need to be from now on. Wellington must take heed. Christchurch wasn't even on the bloody big faultline......Single story workplaces all of a sudden appear to be VERY attractive. Stuff the view.

    Look after yourselves. Check in tomorrow.

    Thoughts......lots of them....lucky.....mixed....scary...lucky....
    others....friends...life.....lucky......nature....lucky....sleep......wake....sleep....

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Folks: My friend Toby Manhire is heading to Christchurch from Auckland in the morning to report for The Guardian.

    I've said he can quote from this thread with attribution. Any readers who are willing and able to be interviewed by him can click the little envelope icon on this comment and I'll pass on your contact details.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Creon Upton,

    Let’s see tomorrow what we can do for the Hay-Haywoods.

    I'm just outside ChCh, have good-seeming water that seems to not be running dry, and plan to distribute it, or whatever else I possess that's useful, tomorrow to anyone I can who's in need.

    I don't do facebook or anything, so this is a good way for me to get this out.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 68 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    TVNZ wild footage on YouTube:

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    A cycle-mounted video camera survey of Christchurch today: #eqnz

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Tamsin6,

    I just need to say how immensely grateful I am for all this information. Have heard from my family that all ok. Sister has had to let me know what she has seen on FB as I can't see it at work. Came into work today without having heard any news to see breaking news flashes coming over all the sky news screens at work. My best source of news so far has been here and texts from home, and since it is night time, I am lucky I have you guys, and a sister who works nights and is therefore awake to answer my panic-stricken queries. Sending all my best thoughts and wishes to anyone who still hasn't heard from families in Christchurch and feeling so lucky so far that all my loved ones are safe.

    London • Since Dec 2007 • 133 posts Report Reply

  • Jane Pearson,

    Following on from my earlier post, my sister has heard that someone saw her daughter outside the building after the quake so we have our fingers crossed that she is indeed okay. Many thanks for the warmth from PAS and we go to bed with Christchurch in our thoughts and hope that many more people are found safe and sound. These are sad days for my home town.

    Since Feb 2010 • 28 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Another chopper is carrying a monsoon bucket. Into the city. It’s bizarre.

    I heard they were using monsoon buckets to put out house fires - any confirmation? I'm assuming fire isn't a major worry now, with rain. About the only thing that's good for.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __,

    Hi everyone, power/internet just restored here. My house is OK but most things inside fell down and my street is deep under liquefaction mud and water and has what looks like a bomb crater with a car in it. Fortunately most of the houses are on a rise above the street. Damage here much worse than Sept 4. And it was very scary, even here in the suburbs. My heart goes out to those in the CBD.

    Bless those linespeople who've got the power back on. WIll be a long wait for water and sewers here though I think.

    Arohanui to all other Christchurch peeps, and especially to SAR, working through the night and through the aftershocks, which seem to come about one every 10 mins.

    I have TRIED to go to sleep. About to try again.
    I feel bad for feeling bad about my own situation when all my loved ones are safe and I have a house I can live in.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to Lilith __,

    I feel bad for feeling bad about my own situation when all my loved ones are safe and I have a house I can live in.

    "Less bad" is not the same as "not bad". You have every right to be upset, I mean, really, just the description of your street sounds horrific.

    Hope you can get some sleep tonight.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Urquhart,

    Having decided I'm not going to get back to sleep I just took a walk around the block. Whereas when I stepped outside about 3am it was uncannily quiet, Xmas/NY morning quiet, now it's back to what I'd expect in background traffic, slightly more in the way of sirens.

    The aftershocks still seem very regular, some sort of rumble or shake every 10 minutes or so.

    Trying not to feel "survivor guilt", but planning a cycle tour of flats I know spread over a few suburbs tomorrow (today) to physically touch base with people. If noting else planning the route gives my mind something to occupy itself.

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2009 • 163 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Lilith __,

    I feel bad for feeling bad about my own situation when all my loved ones are safe and I have a house I can live in.

    Screw it, Lilith. I'm full of a mad desperate gratitude that you've given me another name to cross off the worry list. Lucy is right: Baby, you've got it bad enough, so lighten up on yourself.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    So we have 32 dead but 65+++++ bodies......But we have 32 dead.

    Get a grip guys. Police even anounce how many die in a car crash before they are identified.

    Please come back to reality. Please.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to Ross Mason,

    Please come back to reality. Please.

    Honestly? It's going to be horrific enough. Thirty-odd people is horrific enough. I'd rather they waited to retrieve and identify people. If they're dead, they're dead. If they're alive, rescue is the priority. How does it help right now to know exactly how many can't be saved? We'll know, eventually. One way or the other.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Just heard Tom's story on RNZ about Cashell mall. God help us. Riding on a roof of Police car to hospital holding a man's chest after seeing a women crushed by falling debris. I can't even..,

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Morgan Davie,

    Another link for the post:
    http://www.quakehelp.co.nz/ (web-based volunteer co-ordiination, just launched so no tasks yet listed)

    Wellington • Since May 2008 • 36 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Ross Mason,

    Please come back to reality. Please.

    God, sometimes even my ample stock of rude words fail me…

    Ross, the reality is that I’m still waiting for a dozen or so friends to check in – I don’t know if they’re alive or dead or seriously injured. There’s a city full of terrified people, and God only knows how many of them have been separated from their families.

    I know the media were doing their jobs, but FFS what useful, humane purpose would be served by emergency workers (or Key and English) speculating?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    David Haywood has written an evocative eyewitness account for The Guardian.

    One day I’ll tease him that he’s finally been able to knock something out as quickly as a proper blogger.

    Happily, they haven't had to spend the night outside:

    This morning our family had a house, after the earthquake we were forced to set up a tent. But with huge fissures in the ground, I was nervous that the lawn might open up and swallow us. A friend called and told us they had electricity and water and with a new baby, we thought it was worth the risk to drive to join them. We drove through the city in the dark. There was no electricity, so you couldn't see the devastation, but we had to swerve between huge cracks in the road and patches of water where it was seeping through the cracks. You know if the road is that damaged, all the houses around must be totally broken.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

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