Re: [Paddlewise] Earthquake

Hi Folks, and thanks for the concern.

When the earthquake hit I was at my desk and went under it as the floor 
above collapsed, bringing rubble and ceilings over my desk and that of a 
colleague nearby. I got out OK and we dug him out from beneath steel beams, 
bricks and concrete before evacuating the building. My wife works on the 
same floor as me and she also got out safely.

Unfortunately several others were trapped in the floor above and one died 
while two others are critical, one of whom is pregnant. In an aftershock the 
entire top floor collapsed, with several people trapped up there, but 
amazingly there were no further injuries.

After we were safe I went around the central city covering the event, as I'm 
a news photographer. There were many scenes of death and destruction, and 
many of calmness and a helping spirit. Heroic deeds were carried out by 
untrained, every-day-folk who just got stuck in.

I expected my house to be a write-off as it is only kilometres from the 
epicentre, but it is untouched. The money on bracing was well spent. I have 
yet to check the boatshed but I'm sure it is fine.

The days since then have been a busy time as we try to record the event. We 
have published a newspaper every day since, which has been incredibly well 
received. Amid the devestation for people sitting with no power, and hence 
no Internet or TV, there is a familiar "thunk" as The Press lands on their 
driveway. For many it is their only view of what is happening outside their 
immediate surroundings.

The days, months, and years ahead will be a challenge for us all, and a 
national kayak forum in a few weeks will be a welcome break. I'm supposed to 
be organising the instructors, but I will be passing that task on.

Thanks for the thoughts, and stay safe.

Cheers

JKA

John Kirk-Anderson
Banks Peninsula
New Zealand 
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