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Christchurch earthquake: Jessica’s story
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| Jessica Liddell |
Earthquakes. Wow. They really are quite unreal. On February 22nd at 12.51pm, I was in the middle of the city (my school is in the middle of town, I was on my lunch break), at the Bridge of Remembrance [on Cashel St] when it struck, with a few friends. Straight away, I just instantly clung onto my bestie and screamed “I LOVE YOU GUYS” The building next to us was moving like jelly. The shake was so intense, the water from the river was actually jumping onto the riverbanks. I saw cracks form instantly. Everyone was in shock! The facial expressions were just so lost. Minutes after, one of my friends ran into the main street of the city, to help. I went after him. The sights were so shocking, like literally. There was another huge aftershock as soon as I walked into the rubble - at this time, my friend was helping, pulling bodies out from under the rubble and entering a building that had a pregnant lady stuck inside. I saw a dead man, lying on a park bench, with his workmates around him, in tears. There was an aftershock, it was so sad, are they just meant to leave him there? Everyone was so lost. There were people running, screaming through the streets, a few ladies told us to go to safer ground. So we left my friend who was still pulling out bodies. But what I find really amazing is how soon all these sirens went off and how everyone knew what to do. The September quake really mentally and emotionally prepared us. I only got hold of my parents and sister about an hour after. It was really scary, not knowing if they were okay. I didn’t have any credit on my cellphone to ring or text anyone. I had to walk home from town, with my neighbour who is my bestie and my sister. We walked through heaps of liquefaction. We saw cars stuck in holes on the road. I went home to no water or power. We had camping lights and we played cards all night, telling our stories of the horrific day.
Our neighbours made a long drop with tires and a tent around it. We invited people over to have showers, when we got water back. Even though these events are so tragic, it’s also wonderful how it brings people together and really gives you a wake up call to think about the positives in life and think about what you do have rather than what you don’t have and be thankful for every drop of water and every shower you have. I now try not to take anything for granted, because even though I did actually lose my mum’s house, I still have my family and the people I care about, and sometimes that is what it really comes down to - people are the most important thing. Buildings and houses can be rebuilt, but people’s lives cannot be replaced.
Sometimes I want to escape from Christchurch, but when I really think about it, in times like these, we really just need to be strong and take care of one another! We will get through this!
The Young New Zealand Foundation have started a programme called Courage Be My Friend to help Christchurch students cope with the trauma of the February 22nd earthquake. Check out their site for more info, or watch the campaign video below.
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I was out in Rangoria when it hit and as a rescue worker, was quickly on my was into christchurch to do what i could and as Jessica said “The sights were so shocking”, it looked and felt like a war zone. It amazes me the courage of people like Jessica and her friends who didnt know the people who were trapped but tried the best they could to help. The even better thing as although this was a horrible thing to happen to the people of Christchurch, as a city we have become closer to one another and communities have been strengthened so much its unbelieveable Posted by 17545 "on" 05/19 "at"10:29 AM |
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Very heartfelt story. all my love goes out to you and everyone else in CHCH. Stay strong everyone in CHCH! The whole of New Zealand is behind you. Posted by MelissaW "on" 05/06 "at"04:45 PM |
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Incredible story, heart goes out to you! <3 Posted by suniasunshine "on" 04/18 "at"12:58 PM |
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i was at school when it happened so i was so sad i did not think thatmy house will me liveible because i live on east side of christchurchbut it is after you see some red sticker house Posted by becky "on" 04/15 "at"05:36 PM |
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incredible story jessica, thanks so much for sharing it! i hope everything works out for you and your family.. all the best lady! xx Posted by taylorNOTrpatz "on" 04/14 "at"08:22 AM |
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The earthquakes, if anything, have taught me that Chch and Canterbury are home and always will be. Proud to be from here and will never take that for granted ever again. Posted by Kiwi_Julie "on" 04/12 "at"01:13 PM |
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hey, I too am from chch and i no what it all feels like. In a way its the earthquakes actually really brought the people of Christchurch closer together. It really was a moving experience. I wrote a poem about the night after the 6.3 earthquake, it goes a bit like this ive lost the peice of paper i had it on…hope you like it 
the earth grumbles, things tumble, shaking me waking me in the middle of the night, your whole world being shook to bits it just doesnt feel right. bricks fall people shout and call sirens sing loud we dont feel very proud death toll keeps climbing but we will stay strong and keep smiling :D p.s my heart goes out to Japan kia kaha <3 Posted by 48354 "on" 04/11 "at"11:12 PM |
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OMG! Amazing Jessica I am literally in tears reading your story xxx I hope that this si the last of the earthquakes as it it just such a horrific event and so many lives have been lost. I hope that your moms house can be rebuilt soon and everyone in Christ church can start to piece their lives back together :( xx How many people did you knwo that have died or been seriously injured? I truly feel for everyone affected by the earthquake in any way xxxxxx Posted by Ellie_xox "on" 04/11 "at"06:07 PM |
Best of the rest
