Family’s quake terror escape

SAFE . . . Brenda Avery and her husband John

‘We’re lucky to be alive’ says Oldham mum of two

AN Oldham woman says her family is lucky to be alive after being caught up in the devastating New Zealand earthquake that has killed at least 75 people.

Brenda Avery was plunged into panic when her house violently shook as the major quake struck.

A former Breeze Hill pupil from Lees, Brenda emigrated to Christchurch with husband John and their two teenage children just over a year ago.

Brenda said: “We are all safe and lucky to be alive.

“Our house is trashed and we have had to pack what we can and drive north.

“It’s like a whirlwind has ripped through the house.”

High-rise buildings were flattened and large cracks emerged in the roads during the quake that dislodged the spire of the iconic cathedral in the centre.

Over 300 people are still reporting missing.

Brenda and her family fled the city and stayed with friends last night.

They planned today to head back to their rented home to survey the damage.

However, today neighbours told them that looters had been on thier street, but had been chased away.

The family have settled well in the city they now call their home, but were shook by an smaller earthquake when it hit September last year.

Since then they have witnessed over 2,000 tremors and aftershocks.

Brenda said: “We’re just not sure how Christchurch will recover.

“We are looking at many people dead, injured and homeless, it will take a very long time.”

Meanwhile several other families in Oldham were relieved to make contact with their loved ones living in the country.