Hamilton YSAR members to share their Chch quake experiences

Local Youth Search and Rescue (YSAR) members will be sharing their experiences of assisting in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake during a presentation in the Hamilton City Council reception lounge this Sunday, 13 March from 7pm-9pm.

Run in conjunction with the Hamilton Youth Council, the presentation will include firsthand accounts from Hamilton YSAR members who clocked up 15-hour days assisting with door-to-door inquiries in Christchurch suburbs and processing critical data gathered by search and rescue teams following the quake.

Cayla Were (19), Robert Torrance (19), Refael Whyte (20) and Keiran Ogle (17) flew to Christchurch from Whenuapai aboard an Airforce 757 on 28 February - six days after the 6.3 magnitude quake struck - and returned home on Friday, 4 March. Hayley Were (21), who lives in Christchurch, was shaken by the quake but was also on hand to apply her skills.

Hamilton City Council social development advisor Hannah Banks said "the evening is a chance for the public to hear and see what these Hamilton Search and Rescue-trained volunteers experienced for three intense days in Christchurch, while doing their part to help during the search and rescue phase of the earthquake disaster".

Entry to the presentation is by koha, with donations going towards the Christchurch recovery effort as well as search and rescue equipment and training for Hamilton YSAR members.

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