The death of an elderly rest home resident in Christchurch overnight has been referred to the Coroner but may not be directly related to yesterday's earthquake.
Superintendent Dave Cliff, Canterbury Police District Commander, said the 88 year old man suffered a fall during the second major aftershock. He died in the rest home early this morning.
"This elderly local gentleman did have a number of health issues however the cause of his death is yet to be determined. It is not necessarily linked to the earthquake."
The inter-agency collegial response to the earthquake recovery effort sees St John Ambulance staff now sharing facilities at the New Brighton Police Station as three of their bases have been affected.
Superintendent Cliff said full policing services continue across the city. Reassurance patrols staffed by out of town officers have been active in the eastern suburbs and hills areas, knocking on doors, helping people out including shovelling silt.
"We've been checking on the wellbeing of residents, helping people remove silt or belongings and undertaking traffic patrols to ensure people are as safe as possible."
Traffic around the city has been generally well behaved. People are taking advice to stay off the roads unless required to travel, and many have spent the day on the end of a shovel removing silt.
The Ministry of Education has advised that schools are making their own assessments on when to re-open.
"Police urge everyone to continue to take care on earthquake damaged roads, keep an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists and be safety aware. Several roads and bridges remain closed, and liquefaction, boulders and holes are present on many streets," Superintendent Cliff said.
CERA's latest advice is that 127 buildings were damaged yesterday, and 100 are likely to require urgent demolition.
Superintendent Cliff said the CBD cordon will stay in place overnight and remain until further notice.
"It's another cold night in the city and we encourage people to continue to look after one another, and seek help if you need it."
Ends
Kaye Calder
Christchurch Police Media team
Mobile: 027 241 6305
Email: kaye.calder@police.govt.nz