Matthew (Matti) McEachen

5:30 AM Thursday Feb 24, 2011

Matti McEachen. Photo / Supplied

Tattoo apprentice Matthew Stuart McEachen (Matti) died as Southern Ink Tattoo in Manchester St came crashing to the ground.

Matti's colleague Bonnie Singh survived and was hospitalised with a broken back and fractured neck after crawling out of the rubble.

According to Southern Ink Tattoo's Facebook page, staff members Matt Parkin and Emma Rox "dodged raining bricks and collapsing walls to make it safe out on to the street".

"But it was too late for Matti. It came down so fast there was nothing anybody could have done," a staff member said.

Tributes for Matti, 25, who attended Papanui High School and the Design and Arts College of New Zealand, poured on to the internet after his death was confirmed yesterday.

"We feel blessed to have known such a great person who was full of only love, was so dedicated to the art of tattooing. He touched our lives in such a way that we will learn from his actions and his positive outlook on life," wrote a friend.

Mr Parkin wrote on his Facebook page: "I'm alive, by literally a hair's breadth. Southern Ink has crumbled to the ground. I have lost a friend who was very dear to me."

XpLiCiT_CaShh (New Zealand) | 11:55AM Thursday, 24 Feb 2011

Wow Cant believe this. We were in ChCH Fri 18th - 20th and my Partner got a new piece done from Matti.

Seemed like a super genuine down to earth guy, friendly and open about his passion for art, showed us a painting he was working on (Superb Artist)!

And now to read this.

Nick (New Zealand) | 01:10PM Thursday, 24 Feb 2011

Will never forget you Matti. You reassured me before I got my first tattoo there. I remember talking about where it would go. All the best Matti. RIP.

Jimbo (New Zealand) | 01:55PM Friday, 25 Feb 2011

I met Matti last year when I was wanting a large forearm tattoo done,and I was really impressed at what a nice fella he was both in person and on the phone. It's always so refreshing to meet someone so genuine and so friendly and positive.
My sympathy goes to his family,friends and work colleagues.

Rest In Peace mate