CTV inquest expects more harrowing testimony

Rescuers search for survivors on top of rubble at the CTV site. Photo / Geoff Sloan

More harrowing testimony is expected as a coroner's inquest into the deaths of eight CTV Building victims continues today.

The coroner's inquiry is looking into the deaths of Tamara Cvetanova of Serbia, Jessie Redouble, Emmabelle Anoba, Ezra Medalle, Reah Sumalpong and Mary Amantillo, all from the Philippines, Cheng Mai of China and Japan's Rika Hyuga who all survived in the twisted rubble and steel for a period but could not be rescued.

They were all students at King's Education School for English Language on the third floor of the building.

Yesterday, police admitted the February 22 earthquake disaster in Christchurch "overwhelmed" their communication system.

They were also criticised for leaving a sergeant as sole officer in charge of the CTV Building site, where 115 people died.

A review is now underway by Christchurch Police to find out where it went wrong in the chaotic hours after the magnitude-6.3 tremor.

On the second day of the coroner's inquest, evidence is scheduled to come from a police officer who assisted Sergeant Mike Brooklands in coordinating the police response to the CTV Building collapse.

The inquest will also hear from Fire Service officers.

A crucial part of today's evidence will be the detailed analysis of cellphone records of all those who phoned loved ones from the rubble, as well as a friend of one survivor.