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Damage in Lyttelton. Photo by Chris Rudge - Source: ONE News -
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Lyttelton, the pretty port village that proudly proclaims itself as the gateway to Christchurch, has been devastated by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck New Zealand's second largest city just before 1pm on Tuesday.
Every second building on the town's main street has been severely damaged, with cordons closing off one block considered uninhabitable.
Several of the port town's picturesque buildings have collapsed in a pile of rubble, with its oldest churches among the casualties.
Building facades had fallen away, exposing the intimate insides of family homes, and in the hills above the main road, there are bare spots where houses once stood.
The on-the-ground assessment is the first one since a windy road into the seafarers' settlement was re-opened early on Wednesday morning. Main access through a road tunnel under the Port Hills was cut off after the quake and remains closed.
St John area commander Pete Dawson, a local, told AAP how devastating it was to see his town destroyed.
"Just look at it," he said, waving his arm down London Street. "It's a mess, totally destroyed.
"It's very difficult. We've lost so many of our best buildings and homes," said Dawson, himself now homeless.
The town had also lost two men, one elderly and another young. Dawson said they were walking on a mountain track when they were hit by falling rocks.
A few Australian tourists had been in to seek assistance, but they seemed "like happy chappies" and went on their way.
He said the town enjoyed great patronage from across the Tasman and he hoped that could continue.
"We'll rebuild. Of course, we will. We're resilient people, we're Cantabrians, you know. And we've got a World Cup to look forward to," he said with a laugh.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentstrontiumdog said on 2011-03-06 @ 18:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Govt takes control because city council is too slow?? A typical and unsophisticated political ploy in election year. Come on Gerry, get out of the silt and help the residents rebuild.
jdsmort said on 2011-03-06 @ 10:32 NZDT: Report abusive post
Please make sure you state facts when creating these articles... the aftershock was not the largest since the quake.... maybe wording such as "one of the largest" would be more appropriate.
chchwench said on 2011-03-06 @ 09:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Do you know where some of your donations are going? $ 400.00 taxi rides, fuel/travel vouchers so people can have holiday, food hampers for those not even affected. This is going to cost all of us money in insurance, tax and lost overseas income it is not a time to waste money. Christchurch needs your help but come and visit and support local businesses and employment help us rebuild rather than line the pockets of those least deserving.
bty said on 2011-03-05 @ 20:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
Thank God for good news from Christchurch. What spirit you peaople have! As I was walking around trying to locate my friends a few minutes after the quake on 22 Feb I saw a guy already digging out his silted and drowning Avonside home. He smiled at me and said "Every man's home is his castle, and now I have a moat!"
Earthheart said on 2011-03-05 @ 17:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
To all the teams who came to help from overseas thank you To the Mexican team who was refused access even when they have the skills to help. I apologise from my heart for the way you have been terated and thank you for showing Mana, love and care by helping where you could even if it didn't make the most use of your skills. We appricate your contribution to our communities that needed it most