A MAN from Port St Mary who was studying in New Zealand was caught up in the Christchurch earthquake in February.
Michael Butler, 23, is originally from Port St Mary but was living in Christchurch while studying at the University of Canterbury.
He spoke exclusively to isleofman.com just after the earthquake had struck and said it was "mad" how much damage the earthquake, which measured 6.3 on the Richter Scale, had caused.
Michael, who was studying mechanical engineering, was at university at the time the earthquake hit.
He said: "There was no warning. The walls started shaking violently and the windows imploded. I wasn't scared but a few people got thrown around and girls were screaming.
"Once it stopped there was a big cheer and everyone got evacuated. When we got outside there was another aftershock and the buildings were wobbling like they were made out of rubber. It was epic to see."
More than 180 people are believed to have died in the earthquake – the aftershocks alone were measured at 5.7 magnitude and the damage was said to be so severe because the earthquake struck just 4km below the surface.
Speaking at the time New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key said: "It is a scene of utter devastation. This may well be New Zealand's darkest day."
Michael lived around 12 kilometres from the earthquake epicentre. He continued: "We went home and found there were cracks in the kitchen. The neighbour's house had glass everywhere - pretty much everything that could smash in their house did.
Michael said residents had been given advice on what to do next. He explained: "We've been told to stay inside at the moment and stay outside of the town. We've been told to boil water and collect as much water as we can as the sewage pipes have burst and are being pumped into the rivers."
Michael's family live in Port St Mary and he managed to speak to them using Skype and Facebook to let them know he was OK.
Following the earthquake Michael and his friends helped in the clear up operation as part of a Student Army of volunteers.
This story is part of isleofman.com's Review of the Year 2011.
