On the 22nd of February 2011 an earthquake struck at 12.51 pm. With a magnitude level of 5.1 a history changing event. Here is a survivor story.
Stomach growling I waltzed out into the corridor smiling and thinking about my delicious brown rice salad awaiting me, not know the next 10 seconds would change my life forever.
Two levels above ground in the Pyne Gould 5 level building the ground started trembling.
Plaster on the walls and structure below me crumbled away like a dry cake.
My knees locked, eyes widened,clammy hands letting go all hope I had. Screaming I plummeted. I flung my arms out hoping for a saving grace, being thrown about like a rag doll.
Writhing in sweat and slightly dazed I turned to look up there hurtling towards me was a 80 tonne beam. Landing square on my back I heard my ribs creak, then crack. I gasped for air air dust blurring my eyes, a searing hot white pain shot through my back. The beam continuously pinning me down.
Agony surged through my body. I tried twisting out but the beam held me down . Glass smacked on my leg shattering , carving in to my skin. Blood streaked down. Emulsifying the pain.
Time slowly ticked by fluttering along at its own pace. Exhausted let my body melt and disintegrate into the rubble. I attempted flexing my fingers, disappointment shaking my aching body.
Unciousness drifted in and out of my head lulling my into a sense of security. Sunbeams glared at me hitting me in the face. Daring me to let myself go, to stop trying, give up. It was punching me right in my weak spot.
I would give up anything now for a sip of cool water tranquilised by the birds chirping and car wheels squealing. Hallucinations clouded my mind, consciousness fuzzy and, unreal. Mumbling, something dribbled down my cheek. My tongue jerked out lashing at the substance. Blood.
Moaning my eyes dozed off until I started having a spasm attack. Knee jerking I screamed, face red and blotched, eyes raw and sore from the dust.
I sank deeper into the wreckage.
I squealed relentlessly, until I had no energy left. I was drained.
Eyes wide and glistening, anemic face, sirens roaring off somewhere else. I let myself be taken away. People. 11 people drifted in front of me, 10 colleagues and my one and only aunt.
I knew they were gone and maybe I should join them.
Stomach growling I waltzed out into the corridor smiling and thinking about my delicious brown rice salad awaiting me, not know the next 10 seconds would change my life forever.
Two levels above ground in the Pyne Gould 5 level building the ground started trembling.
Plaster on the walls and structure below me crumbled away like a dry cake.
My knees locked, eyes widened,clammy hands letting go all hope I had. Screaming I plummeted. I flung my arms out hoping for a saving grace, being thrown about like a rag doll.
Writhing in sweat and slightly dazed I turned to look up there hurtling towards me was a 80 tonne beam. Landing square on my back I heard my ribs creak, then crack. I gasped for air air dust blurring my eyes, a searing hot white pain shot through my back. The beam continuously pinning me down.
Agony surged through my body. I tried twisting out but the beam held me down . Glass smacked on my leg shattering , carving in to my skin. Blood streaked down. Emulsifying the pain.
Time slowly ticked by fluttering along at its own pace. Exhausted let my body melt and disintegrate into the rubble. I attempted flexing my fingers, disappointment shaking my aching body.
Unciousness drifted in and out of my head lulling my into a sense of security. Sunbeams glared at me hitting me in the face. Daring me to let myself go, to stop trying, give up. It was punching me right in my weak spot.
I would give up anything now for a sip of cool water tranquilised by the birds chirping and car wheels squealing. Hallucinations clouded my mind, consciousness fuzzy and, unreal. Mumbling, something dribbled down my cheek. My tongue jerked out lashing at the substance. Blood.
Moaning my eyes dozed off until I started having a spasm attack. Knee jerking I screamed, face red and blotched, eyes raw and sore from the dust.
I sank deeper into the wreckage.
I squealed relentlessly, until I had no energy left. I was drained.
Eyes wide and glistening, anemic face, sirens roaring off somewhere else. I let myself be taken away. People. 11 people drifted in front of me, 10 colleagues and my one and only aunt.
I knew they were gone and maybe I should join them.