Teen's dream crushed under rocks

Friends and family farewell Christchurch earthquake victim Jayden Andrews-Howland who was killed by falling masonry. Photo / Doug Sherring

When he grew up he wanted to become a bus driver.

But while riding the No. 3 bus into town on the day before his 15th birthday, to look for his birthday present, Jayden Andrews-Howland's dream was crushed by falling masonry.

Yesterday, hundreds of Jayden's family and friends wore red and black as they gathered at the Harewood Crematorium in Christchurch.

His mother Helen Andrews and John Howland hugged and kissed their son's coffin while Neil Young's Heart of Gold played.

His grandfather Archie Andrews described Jayden as his "best mate", a well-behaved boy who saved hard and was generous with his family. "He never bought himself McDonald's without buying something for his mother."

Andrews told the mourners about his last trip with Jayden to Queenstown to visit the steamship Earnslaw, ride the gondola and watch the New Zealand vs Pakistan cricket match in January.

Jayden spent two-and-a-half hours collecting the signatures of every Black Cap, but declined an offer to lead them on to the field because he was shy.

"On the homeward trip Jayden discussed with me being a coach driver when he left school. We talked about him getting his driver's licence first.

"We talked about him needing to be 25 to be a bus driver and that he would also have to handle a lot of grumpy passengers. He replied: 'I think I can handle that'."

Andrews said Jayden was a "tower of strength" for his family: "He carried that with him until the day he was tragically taken from us," he said.

"Farewell my best mate."

POLICE YESTERDAY RELEASED THE NAMES OF SIX EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

They are:

* Melanie Jane Brown, 54, of Christchurch;

* Christopher Grant Homan, 35, Christchurch

* Father of six, Murray John Wood, 57, Christchurch, who was found in the CTV building where he was managing director of Canterbury Television.

* Melissa Ann Neale, 42, of Wellington, who was found in Cashel Mall where she had been eating lunch with her mother

* Doctor Allan Alexander Sinclair, 46, of Christchurch, who was found on the fourth floor of the CTV building where he worked in The Clinic.

* Gilhwan Yu, 24, Korea, who was found in the CTV building where she was a student at King's College language school.