Coolstore blast survivors say 'thanks'

Milli Lovell (left), the wife of Fire fighter Derek Lovell, who was killed in the Coolstore tragedy two years ago, is consoled at the special service yesterday. Photo / Christine Cornege

April 5, 2008 was gala day at her son's school so Sharlene Woolston dressed up as superhero Wonder Woman.

Mrs Woolston, who was the master of ceremonies at Tamahere Model Country School's Pumpkin Night Gala, didn't hear the enormous explosion which ripped through the Icepak Coolstore about 100 metres away.

And despite her years of experience of dealing with trauma cases as a nurse in Waikato Hospital's emergency department, nothing could prepare her for what she describes as "the craziest thing I have seen in my life".

Several bloodied and burned firefighters, who had attended what they thought was a routine callout, lay strewn on the ground, among them Derek Lovell, who was to later die of his injuries.

Still in her outfit, Mrs Woolston, a mother of two at the time, raced to the plume of smoke with "no idea of what I was running towards".

"It just freaked me out because there was nothing that could prepare you for what you were going to see," said Mrs Woolston.

"You could hear the building crackling and there were people bleeding heavily and lying everywhere. We didn't have anything, no bandages ... we didn't even have water."

Nearby was Cambridge chiropractor Gareth Jones, who had just put a hangi down with some other parents for the gala's evening meal but soon found himself in the thick of the rescue, helping to lift firefighters from the burning debris.

"We didn't think about our safety at the time because there was a polystyrene wall blocking the flames, but then I saw a wall of flame just leap out above it.

"Looking back it was a close thing."

Both were among the dozens of people whose courage and efforts on that day were yesterday recognised by the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand, who unveiled a plaque at the Tamahere community centre.

Sir Anand said the fact that people ran towards the blaze to help to pull the firefighters from the debris revealed "the strength of character that lies within many communities in New Zealand".

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy said the actions of those present, who included an intensive care specialist, an anaesthetist and a facial injuries specialist, helped save four lives.

He said firefighters were seen as the guardians of the community.

"But in this case it was the community that saved the firefighters."

Firefighter Merv Neill, who suffered burns to 70 per cent of his body from the blast and was in Middlemore Hospital's intensive care unit for months, said the unveiling had allowed him and his mates to put the issue "to bed".

With him were his Red Watch colleagues, all seven of whom were injured that day.

A tearful Dennis Wells said he believed people in other countries would not have helped in similar circumstances.

"How can we thank them, you just can't describe it and to look around and we are all here."

Fire Service Commission chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazley said the Fire Service had not been able to identify everyone who assisted with the rescue, nor was there anything in the honours or bravery awards system that provided for recognition of groups.