Christchurch aftershocks: Death puts spotlight on seniors

A flooded Ardrossan Street in Avondale. Photo / Geoff Sloan

An elderly man was "knocked off his feet" and struck his head during the earthquake before dying early yesterday.

The man, whose age has not been disclosed, was a resident of the Resthaven Rest Home in Christchurch and died at 4.30am, said Oceania Group chief executive Geoff Hipkins.

Mr Hipkins said the man was knocked unconscious by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake and an ambulance was called, but he seemed to recover. He was seen by his GP about 6.30pm on Monday but passed away the next morning, Mr Hipkins said.

Police said the death had been referred to the Coroner but may not be directly related to yesterday's earthquake.

"This elderly local gentleman did have a number of health issues, however the cause of his death is yet to be determined," Superintendent Dave Cliff, Canterbury police district commander, said.

The plight of the elderly is worrying support agencies as the latest earthquakes coincide with cold winter weather.

Those living alone are considered most at risk.

St John Ambulance reported three cases on Monday night through to the frosty early hours yesterday of people suffering hypothermia.

"These were fragile people, and clearly heating was an issue for them. These are elderly or certainly people with illness," said St John Ambulance spokesman Chris Haines.

The quakes on Monday left thousands without power and raised fears that some would be unable to heat their homes.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said there were at least 75 buildings in the CBD that had survived the February quake but now needed to be demolished urgently after Monday's quakes.

Commercial general manager for electricity lines company Orion, Rob Jamieson, said yesterday more than 90 per cent of Christchurch households had power back on. Efforts to reconnect almost 15,000 households without power were continuing yesterday.

While he pushed for people to avoid unnecessary power usage, he urged people not to suffer in the freezing temperatures.

"We want people to keep their houses warm. Yes, conserve energy please - the towel rails and things like that that are unnecessary. But in terms of heating, please - particularly the elderly - keep warm."

Age Concern Canterbury chief executive Stephen Phillips said elderly people who were isolated were struck by a "double whammy".

"I think it needs to be recognised that [adequate heating] is probably difficult and can be more expensive as the result of damage to some homes," Mr Phillips said.

Today's temperature is expected to climb into the mid teens before a southerly change in the afternoon makes temperatures drop.