Kerri Kohler fled Christchurch on Wednesday morning,
seeking solace in Dunedin, but now wants to return to help
the city. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Kerri Kohler has just experienced the biggest week of his
life.
When the earthquake struck Christchurch last Tuesday, he had
just left a lecture theatre at Canterbury University.
The 17-year-old from Golden Bay, near Nelson, was in his
first week of his first year of study and was talking to his
mother when the Earth started to move.
"Everyone was happy when we made it. But when the power came
back on at 7pm and we turned on the news, it was awful," he
said.
Kerri slept under tables on the ground floor of his hall of
residence on Tuesday night.
"It was a night of waking and clinging on," he said.
Next morning all but 50 of the usual 600 students were left
there.
A friend offered him a ride to Dunedin and, after cramming
some of his gear into a bag, he was on the road.
He was staying with friends in the meantime, but wanted to
return to Christchurch to join the Student Army.
"I think I was in shock for the day. Now ... I'd like to get
back. I'd like to stick by Christchurch."
He was one of about 50 groups to visit the Dunedin Civil
Defence earthquake assistance centre at the Dunedin Visitor
Centre i-Site during the weekend.
Staff there gave him a food voucher (his wallet was stolen
this week) and have offered to help him return to
Christchurch if he could not find a ride.
Neighbourhood Support regional co-ordinator Sarah Hexamer
said a "steady stream" of people had come in with a range of
needs.
"A lot of people just want a friendly face, a cup of coffee
and a biscuit," she said.
There were also those whose passports were stuck in
properties, those who needed help letting others know they
were safe and those with severely traumatised children.
One man needed help to find accommodation for his entire
extended family.
A house in Karitane was located and the family was looking
forward to spending some time on stable ground.
Dunedin Civil Defence incident manager Des Adamson said
almost 300 beds and houses in the city had been offered to
people wanting respite from the quake.
The centre will be relocated to the Work and Income Community
Link office, with entry off Castle St, from today.
- ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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