Athlete in no shape yet to discuss losing legs

Annemarie Hope-Cross, Ian Winson's sister-in-law, talks to the media yesterday. Photo / Richard Robinson

The marathon runner injured in the Onehunga watermain explosion hasn't been able to discuss losing his legs with his family or doctor.

Ian Winson, 47, lost parts of both his legs in the weekend gas explosion that killed his colleague Philomen Gulland and injured five others.

His sister-in-law, Annemarie Hope-Cross, yesterday said it was difficult to know if he was aware of the severity of his injuries.

"He can hear us and is conscious but for medical reasons he can't talk back to us so we're not having discussions with him. But he knows what's going on," she said.

But Ms Hope-Cross didn't want to speculate on Mr Winson's injuries. "Ian hasn't had a chance to discuss them with his doctor at the moment although he's conscious and we're able to talk to him."

His family - including wife Katherine and their two boys - were encouraged by the progress he'd made since Saturday, when it was touch-and-go whether he would survive.

"He's a strong man mentally and physically. There's been a big improvement at [the] weekend and it's thrilling to see. We expect a good recovery."

But they were realistic about the battle he faced.

"This is no five-minute thing. We're in it for [the] long haul. We're in it with Ian every step of the way."

Ms Hope-Cross expected he would use the same determination and discipline in his recovery that he used in marathon running. "You have to work at something and keep going for the long haul and that's what Ian is like."

Zimbabwe-born Mr Winson, who works for Watercare as a network engineer, has completed marathons as well as Ironman competitions. He also created the Lydiard Legend Marathon in the Waitakere Ranges in memory of running coach Arthur Lydiard.

Ms Hope-Cross wore one of Mr Winson's jackets, with his race number on it, while speaking to the media.

She said her brother-in-law was so safety-conscious he had given up training on the road.

"He'll sit for hours on a trainer at home, and I mean for hours, and cycle on the backsteps, such is his level of concern for safety."

She said Mr Winson's wife was coping with the support of her small, close family. "She's strong and we're all taking this an hour at a time."

The first she knew of the explosion was when her sister called her from a police car.

"We didn't know if Ian was going to live or not. I heard her in the police car, lights and sirens going ...

"At that point it was touch-and-go [but] as time has gone on we're thrilled he's continued to progress."