Christchurch quake memorial reminds man who lost father to 'make him proud'

Saturday, 22 February 2020

Nine years on from when his father was crushed in a car, Dean Smith came to the Christchurch earthquake memorial wall by himself for the first time.

Dean Smith's father Chris had just dropped him off at school on February 22, 2011, before the earthquake struck.

At 12.51pm, Chris, 48, was parked outside a dairy near the intersection of Manchester and Gloucester streets, when the facade of a two-storey building collapsed on his car.

He was pulled alive from the car by a firefighter, but soon died of chest injuries.

**READ MORE:

* Earthquake victim profile: Christopher Smith

* Quake work not meant to stand Feb tremor

* 'Work might have contributed to death'

* Building had been inspected and repaired

* Christchurch earthquake service a cherished tradition for tiny victim's family**

Dean Smith was one of many family members among the hundreds paying tribute at the Civic Memorial Service at Oi Manawa - the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial - on Saturday.

'It's actually the first I've had the balls to go to this wall by myself,' he told Stuff.

His family was no longer in Christchurch and his fiancee was at work.

Coming by himself was 'a little bit harder'.

'It's tough but it's something you've got to face,' he said.

'With losing him, it's pushed us boys to make him proud, that's something that's always in the back of the head,' he said.

'We're still always there for our Mum and that's probably the most important thing.'

Although it was a tough day, Smith said it was good to finally see the city 'putting the pieces back together'.

'It's brought Christchurch together and I think we're stronger for it really.'

CTV Families Group spokesman Maan​ Alkaisi​ spoke to media after the service, saying he still felt let down by the Government and council.

Alkaisi's wife lost his wife Maysoon Abbas was one of 115 people to die when the CTV building collapsed.

He has been outspoken after police decided not to prosecute after the collapse, and has lobbied the Government for change since then.

'This day is always a special day, and I usually don't give any statements and talk about other things - reflections and remembering my wife, what she means to me, what I remember, how proud I am of her,' he said.

'But today, because after nine years no justice, no accountability, no closure, I feel that we've been let down by the people that are supposed to ensure justice.' 

'The CTV Families Group has made many formal approaches to the Government in its pursuit of accountability and justice, all to to avail,' he said.

Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel is set to give a formal apology on behalf of the city on Sunday, to relatives of those killed and injured by building or masonry collapse.

Alkaisi said Dalziel's apology would be 'the right thing to do'.

'We wanted somebody to admit that something went wrong, so although the apology is nine years late, it's better to do it than leave it,' he said.

Speaking to the crowd of several hundred at the service, Dalziel honoured the theme of this year's service - giving thanks to those who cared.

'It is an opportunity to remember everyone who helped us,' she said.

'At the same time as we reflect on the lives of those we have lost, those who were seriously injured, including those who carry the hidden scars of the trauma they experienced and all those that were affected in some way by the events of that fateful day.

'On this ninth anniversary, we also recall those who were there when we needed them in the aftermath of the disaster and that includes the days, the weeks, months and years since.'