Vivid memories four years after Christchurch quake

On this day four years ago, an earthquake that would change the lives of thousands shook Christchurch at 12.51 p.m.

By 4.30 p.m., four Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics had arrived at Hagley Park and began attending to the sick and injured.

Hernan Holliday, an intensive care flight paramedic, was one of the staff who volunteered to help begin the relief effort.

“I got a text from the roster administrator to say there was a major earthquake in Christchurch, and to call back if I was available to attend,” said Hernan.

“It was such a hard decision, leaving my wife and young kids, but I knew other people needed me.

“Within an hour, I had packed my bags and left.”

By 3.30 p.m., Hernan was in a helicopter along with three other Wellington Free paramedics, travelling to Christchurch.

Mark Osborne, a rescue squad paramedic, was part of this crew.

“We were getting updates while we were on the way. We knew that it was big, there were injuries and fatalities, and buildings were on fire.”

On arrival in Christchurch, the team didn’t see much of the damage. Hernan said it was the next day that he saw the destruction.

“It was devastating. When I looked around and thought about all those people who lost everything, especially loved ones – it was just hard to believe.”

“For those first two days we worked pretty much 24/7. When we slept, it was on the floor – everyone was in the same boat.”

Hernan was a clinical leader of the makeshift welfare centre he helped set up at a school.

They treated the sick and injured, and made sure there was enough water and medical supplies to cater for the 800 people they looked after.

Mark was assigned a job relieving local front line ambulance staff, so they could go home to their families. He rotated around different areas, and spent some time at the CTV building.

Freeing the last survivor from that building is a lasting memory for Mark.

“I’ve been a hardened paramedic for a while, and a fire fighter before that, so I’ve been involved in lots of emergencies – but this was just incredible,” he said.

“There was very little infrastructure, water or power – but we’re trained to work in high pressure situations, so we just had to get stuck in and get the job done.”

The initial crew returned to Wellington after five days, when another group were sent down to take over.

“Wellington Free Ambulance were outstanding, responding to the disaster almost instantly. We’re a small service, and a charity, so it’s amazing that the effort was put in to help out as much as we could down there,” said Hernan.

“It was so hard, but such an amazing experience. It’s something I will never, ever forget.”

Mark agreed, saying he was privileged to be a part of the volunteer effort.

“We were the first paramedics from the North Island to reach Christchurch,” he said.

“We had a great working relationship with St John and other volunteers. It really showed that in a crisis, working together to combine skills and clinical experience was seamless.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media