Quake victim's miraculous survival

A digger carries out demolition work in the central city after last Saturday morning's 7.1 earthquake. Photo / Greg Bowker

The man who came closest to be killed in last weekend's devastating Canterbury earthquake remains in a serious condition in Christchurch Hospital.

Simon Robinson had part of a foot and some toes amputated after a falling chimney crushed him as he lay in bed at his two-storied home.

He also suffered broken bones in both legs and a punctured lung and has spent much of the past week in an induced coma.

His friends said the father of four's body looked like it had been put through a washing machine, Fairfax Media reported.

Family friend Bruce Taylor said his mate and golfing partner had had "a working through".

"It sounds as if he's out of any life-threatening situation..."

Authorities say it was astonishing no one died in the massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake which hit Christchurch and surrounding districts at 4.35am last Saturday.

Mr Robinson was buried under bricks when the chimney crashed through the roof.

His wife Debbie's screams brought help from neighbours.

As neighbours struggled to free him others tried to call an ambulance on a telephone network facing problems because of the earthquake.

It was nearly 45 minutes before he could be taken to hospital.

- NZPA