'Inept' CTV rescue slammed by widower
A lawyer acting for the Royal Commission into the Christchurch earthquakes argued that analysing rescue efforts was beyond the terms of reference.
He was responding to calls from an aggrieved widower Srecko Cvetanov who wants the Royal Commission to investigate why his wife, Tamara Cvetanova, remained trapped and died 12 hours after the CTV building collapsed
She was an English language student.
Mr Cvetanov spoke to her for about three hours after the collapse.
His representative, Nigel Hampton QC, told the Royal Commission that Mr Cvetanov believed rescue efforts had been inadequate and inept. He wants an inquiry to ensure better rescue responses in future.
But the Royal Commission lawyer, Stephen Mills QC, responded that investigating search and rescue actions was not in the Commission’s brief and should be more appropriately dealt with by a coronial inquiry.
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Comments and questions8
Unbelievable...
because anyone else could have done better than the fire service on that day, at that time, with the resources they had. What a crock of @$@#.
Blame the architect, blame the builders, just don't blame the people that put their lives at risk to rescue those people. The rescuers could have easily walked away as most rescues are made by volunteers who are under no obligation to risk their lives for complete strangers.
Give the guy a break! He lost his wife for Gods sake! He is very much entitled to have an opinion about the rescue efforts.
Yes, he is entitled to have an opinion. But calling the rescuers 'inept' and trying to hold them legally accountable for the loss of his wife is not his privilege.
Imagine. Should another shake occurs in Christchurch, will anyone volunteer for the rescue operations? With the liability on their shoulders, no one will. They'll just leave it to the 'professionals'.
By the way, where were the bloke and god on the day his wife died??
The rescue efforts have to be enquired into. So we can improve our response in future emergencies. Further the Firemen on the ground have serious questions about their Officers response. Not a witch hunt, just a fact-finding enquiry.
What is it about those in uniform or fluro jackets in NZ that everyone thinks are sacred cows. This guy sat on the phone within spitting distance for near an hour conversing with his wife and has something to say about what he witnessed. Society owes him a hearing and if there is anything to learn so be it. Pike river comes to mind, if it turns out plod prevented rescue in a window of opportunity while some were still alive sitting as trained waiting, then goodness knows how kiwis will react.
I expect any enquiry on any event to leave no stone unturned and no one is exempt.
Yes we need answers for the future but not a witch hunt on the rescuers. Understandably he is grieving but sorry he has lost my sympathy.To say they killed his wife. My grandson was one of those there on the day and came home that evening traumatised and bleeding from trying to pull away debris.
Get a grip mate - at least your gson came home. We are talking about people who died, horribly while communicating with others by mobile. I heard the QC and no one mentions a witch hunt except a few precious lot who dont seem to want any post rescue audit. What if everyone was ordered away and the experts arrived only it seemed Captain Mainwaring was in charge or some other clip board type? I'd even be happy for a review to be done by the aussie SES or any North American lot if it can help upskill or train better for the future, heaven forbid. I dont believe any person is too old or experienced to learn more or teach others lessons learnt.
Sadly I think the emotions need to be left out from it. Yes an enquiry should be held as this is how we learn going forward. No one doubts that everyone tried their best on that day, at that time and under the stress we were all feeling. HOWEVER I think that this can be acomplished without the "name calling" and abuse of the rescuers, just that an enquiry is needed in order to learn more about how to deal with something similar next time.