Christchurch earthquake victim: 'I was pinned to the ground'

Rubble after the Christchurch earthquake. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A man seriously injured when a chimney fell on him during the Canterbury earthquake has thanked his wife and "heroic neighbours" for saving his life.

Simon Robinson, 55, is in a stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital after operations on his legs, feet, jaw and shoulders.

In a statement from his hospital bed, Mr Robinson said he wanted to thank his family, friends and those who had taken care of him in hospital. He was "incredibly grateful" to his neighbours and wife who saved his life by quickly pulling together a team of people with a stretcher.

They managed to free him from the rubble in his bedroom in his home in Christchurch suburb of Fendalton, and get him to hospital within an hour.

"I was pinned to the ground and squashed into a corner of the bedroom. I remember everything and it feels surreal how life has changed.

"I am very lucky and very thankful to everyone who has helped me, especially the amazing medical staff at Christchurch Hospital. Canterbury is an amazing place - the way we pull together and help each other out."

Mr Robinson and his family did not want to speak to the media while he was recovering.