A couple living near Shrewsbury are lucky to be alive after being caught up in the massive earthquake which struck New Zealand.
John and Chris Downes returned to their home in Smethcott, near Longnor, on Tuesday, counting their blessings after deciding not to climb the cathedral tower in Christchurch moments before it came crashing down.
The pair were visiting the city as part of a month-long holiday when the 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck, killing around 150 people with dozens still unaccounted for.
They were left with just the clothes on their backs after being forced to leave their luggage at the city centre hotel.
They had been attending a communion service in Christchurch Cathedral in the centre of the city on February 22 with relatives Jan and Peter Morgan, before browsing the adjoining visitor centre.
The earthquake hit at 12.51pm, just 10 minutes after the group had contemplated climbing up the cathedral tower – a decision which saved their lives.
The steel frame of the modern visitor centre ensured they escaped unhurt, while the 63-metre spire of the Anglican cathedral came crashing down into the square below, along with numerous other buildings, trapping people inside.
Chris told the Chronicle her sister-in-law Jan was thrown completely off her feet from the strength of the tremor.
She said: “It really shook. I went down beside Jan and got her under a bench together with my husband John. We watched the boulders falling from the tower through the glass window and the dust.
“It shook backwards, forwards and horizontally. It was at this time that we realised this was a major earthquake. The three of us got outside but we couldn’t see my brother-in-law Peter, which was a very scary moment. He later came out of another door and he was fine and had been helping someone else. We were covered in dust and grime.”
Nothing could prepare them for the aftermath of the disaster. Buildings had collapsed, people were bleeding and great holes were left in the twisted roads.
Chris said they managed to seek refuge in a bungalow on the outskirts of the city where they felt a further 20 aftershocks during the night.
She was able to send a text message to her family to let them know she was okay, and she praised volunteers, charities and emergency services for their quick response.
“They were the heroes, we were just the lucky ones,” said Chris.
“The steel-framed building saved our lives. I just feel complete devastation for the city and it was a great shock to us all. We realise that we are extremely lucky and we are certainly not letting it put us off going back to visit family and friends.”
By Charlotte Hester