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Irishman trapped by NZ earthquake
2011-02-24 19:22:14
24 February 2011 Last updated at 15:11 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Irishman trapped in devastated earthquake building A statue lies where it fell in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, after the earthquake
One of two Irishmen missing after the New Zealand earthquake is trapped in a collapsed building, the Irish Foreign Affairs Department has confirmed.
The man, who is in his 40s and married with children, had been living in New Zealand for some time.
The department said it was hoping for good news later on the man who is trapped in the Pyne Gould Guinness building.
A second Irishman is also among the 225 people missing since Tuesday.
A Northern Ireland couple have revealed they were lucky to survive the earthquake which has claimed 98 lives.
Tony and Rosemary Irwin from Dungannon, were due to visit Christchurch Cathedral on Tuesday when it struck.
Mrs Irwin said her husband had saved her and was a "hero".
She said he had pushed her into a shop doorway in a bid to escape the devastation
"On that very morning we had decided to go up to visit the lovely cathedral and have a tour," she said.
"We were at the very top of the street when the most incredible quake happened, the ground both rolling and rising.
"My husband is a hero in this because it was his quick thinking that saved us both."
Around 20 people are believed to have died after the spire collapsed at the cathedral.
Police are still searching for more than 200 people in the city following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that devastated the city.
There are 17 Irish people still unaccounted for.
Mr Irwin described the situation which they encountered as the earthquake started to take effect.
"It was a choice between going out onto the street or getting under a doorway into a building that might collapse," he added.
"There is really not very much time to think about it, but I could see the bricks coming down and I just grabbed Rosemary and rolled her into a shop doorway and we just stayed there huddled in the corner until it was over.
"There were bricks raining down and the shaking was astonishing.
"When it all stopped there was absolute silence.
Owen McKennaPlease turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
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