Child who lost parent in Christchurch earthquake remembers father ten years on

Child who lost parent in Christchurch earthquake remembers father ten years on
Photo credit: Newshub

Sixty-six people under 21 years old lost parents in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

The tragedy lives with them not just today but every day of their lives.

Jack Lucas, whose dad Shawn died following the collapse of the CTV building, was 15 at the time of his death and still has fond memories of his childhood with his dad.

His dad was a production manager at CTV, and one of the four victims of the earthquake whose remains were never found. This is something Lucas says he's made peace with.

"I think the memories and time spent with him are more important than getting something back," he says.

Lucas spent a lot of time at the Christchurch 9/11 terrorist attack memorial over the years having lunch with his dad. It is the first world tragedy he remembers as a youngster, and he never thought he would be at the centre of another one.

He often thinks of his dad's best qualities.

"Kind, generous, loved to volunteer."

His dad volunteered at the Sumner Fire Brigade and received medals for his work. Hundreds of volunteers then spent hours and days looking for his body.

Lucas says the pain of losing his dad will never go away.

"It can be years down the track that things pop up, you know, you just can't ask him a question, and obviously financial support."

Lucas wishes there was more support for the children of earthquake victims.

"The Government and local government should look to support those children not just in the initial time but throughout their life," he says.

He spent today remembering and commemorating, and says he would give anything to have his parent back.

"It would mean the world, it honestly would," Lucas says.

Living with the fact that February 22, 2011 has changed his life forever.