Post date: Feb 22, 2011 12:17:23 PM
A man who was trapped for five hours after a deadly earthquake struck New Zealand is reunited with his mother.
NEW ZEALAND-QUAKE SURVIVOR - Christchurch, New Zealand's second largest city, devastated by a deadly earthquake.
At least 65 people have been killed, and the death toll is likely to rise as rescue workers desperately search for survivors.
But amidst all the chaos there is hope.
This is Tania- early on Tuesday- anxiously waiting to hear from her son who became trapped in a damaged building.But later on in the day she gets what she had been longing for- a reunion with her son Toby who was trapped for five hours.
QUAKE SURVIVOR TOBY'S MOTHER, SAYING:
"From where he was on the fourth floor, really I thought he was gone. But I chose not to leave here, until I knew for myself that he's alright. (REPORTER ASKING QUESTION: SO WHAT WAS THAT MOMENT LIKE WHEN YOU SAW HIM COMING OUT?) I just jumped for joy and I was so happy there, I left all my stuff at the pedestrian crossing and ran across to him and like hit my head across him, grabbed him and hugged him. I'm so pleased he's here.
An emotional Toby said it was a life-changing experience.
QUAKE SURVIVOR TOBY, SAYING:
"My loved ones, things are ain't done, what's going to happen if I wasn't there, but at the end of the day I am back. (REPORTER ASKING: SO WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS NOW TOBY?) Live life to the fullest."
The 6.3 magnitude quake struck at lunchtime, when the streets and shops were bustling and when offices were still occupied.
Christchurch's mayor estimates that up to 200 people may still be trapped in buildings.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.