Christchurch aftershocks: 'Disoriented' people put on brave face

Neil Struthers contemplates the fate of Lyttelton's Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Photo / Greg Bowker

John Thrupp can tell the strain from months of earthquakes is taking its toll on the residents of Lyttelton.

The local pharmacist, Mr Thrupp can see it on their faces when they come into his shop in the centre of earthquake-ravaged port. And it also shows in the prescriptions he's been filling. "People have been getting [medication] for things like stress, anxiety and to help them sleep."

There had been a noticeable rise in such medications since the first big quake in September, but particularly since February 22's devastating shake that hit close to the town. "The older people are colder and panicky. It's been tough for them," he said.

People were also suffering from illnesses they didn't have before the earthquakes started; everything from heart attacks to antibiotics for infections they didn't have before.

He and other staff at the Bells Pharmacy had seen people forget to come and get regular prescriptions filled - a sign "people weren't looking after themselves". Others were behaving differently - such as not getting their claims into the Earthquake Commission on time.

Mr Thrupp told the Herald the community was close, which was helping in the recovery, but he was unsure what the impact the latest swarm of earthquakes would have. "It's quite tight-knit and not a faceless community so it's good in that way."

He'd had many messages on his phone asking when the pharmacy - which also acts as the Post Shop and watch repairer - would re-open.

Mr Thrupp and colleagues Lesley Quayle and Hope Greenway hadn't wasted time clearing away collapsed shelves and fallen items yesterday but were behind the counter with their hard hats on. When the biggest of Monday's earthquakes hit, items had fallen from glass shelves that would have flown away from the walls if they hadn't braced against them.

New cracks had appeared on the fake ceiling above but the building was considered safe structurally.

From what they had seen many people seemed "disoriented" by this week's events. "They're putting a brave face on it."

Ms Quayle agreed. "I don't know how much more they can take."

But people hadn't lost the ability to pick themselves up and keep going. "They want to do something and not just sit there waiting for the next one."

Problems with insurance claims and demolition bills were adding to the stress people were under and getting in the way of planning for a new Lyttelton post-earthquake. "It will come down to what money everyone has. It hasn't been as high as many expected."

If the aftershocks continued much longer residents could become too "worn out" to create something "creative and fantastic".

It wasn't just the ground shaking that was having an effect on locals. "It's the little things that make it horrible, like not being able to have a shower."

Mr Thrupp can relate to many of his clients' hardships. His home had "liquefaction right through it" and a "sea of water" was preventing him getting to a new rental place he signed for less than a week ago.

Teacher Liza Rossie was at school when the earthquakes hit. She said most of the children coped well but a few were hysterical.

She said Lyttelton was a "strong and resilient community" where everyone would help one another.