Christchurch earthquake: Victim's legs amputated at PGC

The collapsed Pyne Gould building. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A Waikato Hospital spokesperson has told how a Christchurch earthquake victim's life was saved by having his legs amputated while trapped under an inner city building.

Mary Anne Gill, Communications Director for the Waikato District Health Board, says the 52-year-old Christchurch man is now in a stable condition after being transferred.

He had both legs amputated above the knee at the scene at the Pyne Gould Corporation building on Cambridge Terrace by an Australian doctor in the city on a urology conference. The victim is now under the care of trauma specialist Dr Grant Christey.

The man's wife issued a statement, saying: "We thank the media for their interest. We ask you to respect our privacy at this stressful time in our lives."

She and the couple's two children are in Hamilton supporting him.

The death toll from the quake now stands at 92.

- NZ Herald staff