Two years on: Least we forget those who lost their lives on 22/02/2011

**willytheekid** · 22nd February 2013, 07:33

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/vid...phic-content-b

Still brings back Horrible memories for me

....7 stories up and watching the Cathedral fall, and wondering......are we next?
Then the realisation that my Partner Charlotte & my baby boy Ryder are across town, alone, and in a very old large house that was badly damaged in the first quake...has the house collapsed??...am I going to be diggin my family out of rubble??...and then the realisation that towns been destroyed!...how the hell am I going to get to them?

Fastest gear up and exit from the building I have ever done...ran to the bike park behind work to find "Phat Girl" (My guzzi) is down...and shes damaged, lying in a pool of petrol and has fallen on a scooter....strangers help me to pick her up....will she fire up?...I have to reach Charlotte!

A cop runs up and tells me to "leave the bike!...get out of the city!!"..."no fucking way!" I reply, "I have to reach my family!, they maybe in a collapsed house"...the cop then helps me out of the bike park area, wishes me "good luck!...head that way"....PhatGirl fires up first go and sounds anxious to go.

Town is destroyed...so much traffic and people, all trying in vain to get out...to reach there familys....another quake hits...hundreds of people scream all at once, the road kicks and buckles beneth me, the tram line is buckling and twisting, huge panes of glass fall from buildings exploding on the ground...a cop runs over to help steady "PhatGirl"...he looks scared...pale...the quake stops.
Once again Im told "Good luck"...I grab his shoulder, and reply "Thanks...you take care"...he nods

Theres no way out!...people are driving 4x4's, cars and scooters on the footpaths, anywhere!...they want out, Im forced to go through central city...Im forced to see the very worst...buildings down...people crying...buses crushed...limp bodies being frantically removed...Im trapped...theres no way out, a building has fallen accross the street...I can't turn back...I MUST reach Charlotte!.

A cop and a guy in fluro run up and must see the urgency and determination to get through...they help carry "PhatGirl" over the rubble of the building...and wish me good luck before running off to help more people....Im moving again.

Town is destroyed!...there must be a way out...pale cops on every courner...standing there ground while debrie falls around them and people everywhere scream for help...the poor brave bastards....I must reach Charlotte!

Guilt is setting in...I have medical training!...Im strong...Im here...I should stop and help these people...theres just to many in need...I must reach Charlotte!!

IM OUT!!...Ive made it to the east side of town!...PhatGirl is damaged, beaten and half drowned in silt, mud and crap...but she dosn't let me down, I crack the throttle...the Big itallian defiantly roars and muscles her way way through axel deep silt and mud...she dosn't let me down

I make it to linwood...closer to my goal...is the house standing?...are they ok??...I crack the throttle again...I must reach Charlotte!!!

I see the spire of the house in the distance now...its standing!...but kind of leaning?

last turn...people milling in the street disperse as they here the roar of the guzzi...they can tell im not stopping...not slowing...MOVE!!...I must reach Charlotte!!!

I gun it up the driveway...there they are, Charlottes crying uncontrollably holding the baby pod...Whats happened!!!...is Ryder ok??...is she ok??...The roar of PhatGirl rings out down the drive as I try to reach them as fast as possible.

Ive made it!...Ive reached my family, they are alive, the only injury is a crushed toe, I have a first aid kit and a thermal suit for Charlotte, some food and some drink...we sit on the lawn and cry as aftershocks hit...sirens wail...and people rush to find there loved ones

...Town is destroyed

...people have died

...this is not just a bad dream...

2 years on and its still so clear...still makes me upset...and still make me thankful for the help I recieved, and the courage and bravery I witnessed that day

...Least we forget those who lost there lives...and those many brave people who risked there own to help others in need.

**KiwiPhoenix** · 22nd February 2013, 07:48

WTK: Everyone will remember what they were doing on that fateful day. Like you my first thought was my family, my daughter who was at Preschool.

My thoughts are with everyone especially today.

**Paul in NZ** · 22nd February 2013, 08:22

Yeah - as an chch lad that brought a lump to me throat.

God (insert god of choice) bless ya mate and all those that helped you that day........

**imdying** · 22nd February 2013, 08:49

Was in town... someone said the cathedral was down, so I thought oooh I wanna get a photo of me with that! Got some good video of people freaking out in the square during aftershocks too

**sugilite:Me** · 22nd February 2013, 09:03

willytheekid - Thank You for that very powerful post. I was riding all the way with you through that reading that with a lump in my chest, and yes even moist eyes, and that never happens with me. Glad you had the right machine to get you through that day. Thoughts with you and your family, as well as all people in Christchurch.

**sinfull** · 22nd February 2013, 09:10

Wot he said ^^^^^, thanks for sharing !

**Asher** · 22nd February 2013, 09:26

I was driving out to uni when the quake hit, I first thought I had a blow out. When I stopped the car was still rocking around and all the trees and power poles swaying so much they seemed to touch they seemed to touch the ground. I quickly rushed home and found all of the doors jammed shut. A few minutes later another shock hit and un jammed the doors. I went straight on Facebook and people said the cathedral collapsed, i had to go see this i thought. I chucked my camera in my bag, jumped on my push bike and headed fir town. Every road was grid lock and the streets were flooding with liquifaction and broken water mains. I got to the edge of the cbd quite quickly , as i got further the damage increased. I couldn't really believe my eyes the amount of destruction and people hurt and dying was something i was completely unprepaired for. Here's my fb album of all the pics i took: https://facebook.com/media/set/?set=...type=1&op=40&v
It wasn't until i went to Sydney a week after the quake that it all really hit me, i had trouble sleeping for quite a wh
ile, trucks driving past my house would make me anxious and had trouble concentrating. But when it all comes down to it i got off incredibly lightly.

**mashman** · 22nd February 2013, 09:26

Fucksake that was a ride. All the best WTK.

**Zedder** · 22nd February 2013, 09:45

Good one Wtk.

I just read in the NZ Herald about another quake (3.8) hitting minutes ago.

**Tigadee** · 22nd February 2013, 10:05

Originally Posted by willytheekid

Still brings back Horrible memories for me

Glad you found your family safe and more or less sound... Take care, thoughts are with ya!

**onearmedbandit** · 22nd February 2013, 11:58

Harrowing but fantastic post wtk.

A day I'll never forget.

**MIXONE** · 22nd February 2013, 13:42

A great read mate.Lots of family in Chch and I lived there for 12 years so am thinking of yous.

**willytheekid** · 22nd February 2013, 13:45

Just found these shots on my phone

...the old view from my office on Cathedral square (That I had just walked through about 5mins before the quake hit)

It was certainly a horrific sight to see the Cathedral spire fall while our building was swinging about 1-2meters each way

...to this day...I swear I witnessed three people get crushed by the falling debries...a whole group of them running...three laggin behind the main group...and I never saw them come out the otherside

...I still hope my eyes betrayed me.

Great turn out in town for the memorial service by the looks of it...going in after work to pay my respects and give thanks

Stay Safe KBers

...And many thanks for the wonderful comments and caring thoughts for ChCh on this day of days