Earthquake Hits Christchurch, New Zealand (Update II)

Update II:

A reader passes along a website with information for getting and giving help to those affected by the New Zealand earthquake: http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/. As our reader noted, “Any size donation will help. It is hard to deny the influence the region has had on the fastpitch game over the years and it would be a great show of support from the Fastpitch community to donate. The news stories are over but not the impact the quake has had on so many lives, that is just beginning.”

Update: We’ve bumped this back to the top, with an update courtesy of Softball New Zealand Umpire-in-Chief Wayne Saunders:

Hi All,

I have had a number of email enquires asking after the welfare of our
umpires in the Christchurch region.

Firstly I spoke with Nicky Ogier shortly after the earthquake and to the
best of her knowledge at that time all umpires in their region were safe and well.

I spoke again with Mark MacFarlane this morning and he has confirmed that all umpires in their region were safe and well. He also added:

Power has still not been reinstated to their home and most of the
eastern suburbs and the CBD.

A number of telephone landlines have been reconnected and cell
phone coverage seem to be OK but without power battery life will be short.

Many roads in the suburbs have been badly affected by liquefaction
and some are not navigable.

Umpire Dave Beaumont’s house has been damaged

Dave Beaumont (roofer) is busy repairing damaged roofs.

Charlie Gaze (lineman) is working reinstating overhead powerlines.

Mark’s business has been requested (as other businesses have) to provide labour to assist with the clean-up of the CBD.

I have asked Mark to send on the best wishes of our umpiring programme to all the umpires in the region. I have asked Mark to advise me of anything we as a programme may be able to do to assist in this moment of tragedy and extreme hardship.

Our best wishes and prays are with all the people of Christchurch.

For now,
Wayne Saunders
SNZ Umpire-in-Chief

Sixty-five people are confirmed dead and scores more are injured or missing after a powerful earthquake today destroyed Christchurch buildings and left entire suburbs “unliveable”.

Prime Minister John Key tonight said “we may be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day” in confirming that at least 65 people were dead after a shallow 6.3 earthquake hit 10km southeast of the city just before 1pm. That quake has been followed by constant aftershocks, some as powerful as magnitude 5.

Rescuers said some people would remain trapped in buildings overnight.

Up to 500 people have set up for the night in Hagley Park, where they will be spending the night.

Hospitals around the South Island were being cleared to take the hundreds of casualties expected, while makeshift hospitals were being set up in parts of Christchurch.

The suburbs of Lyttleton and new Brighton are reportedly “unliveable”.

Witnesses said screams could be heard coming from the Pyne Gould Business building where dozens of people were feared trapped.

A number of people were also trapped in the iconic Press building in Cathedral Square. Some had managed to free themselves.

People died when buses were crushed under falling building facades radio NZ reported.

Editor’s note: Christchurch New Zealand was host to the 2004 ISF Men’s World Championships, and is home to some of the finest fastpitch players and teams in the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Christchurch community and our friends from New Zealand.