THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT
WHITTAKER Mark David
Senior Firefighter, New Zealand Fire Service
CITATION
New Zealand Bravery Medal
Special Honours List 23 June 2014
On 22 February 2011 a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch, resulting in the collapse of the six-storey Canterbury Television building. A fire had ignited in the lower levels of the building, complicating rescue efforts. The fourth floor had been compressed to a space of approximately 60 centimetres high. Tunnels were created into the fourth floor to gain access to a number of survivors trapped inside. Senior Firefighter Mark Whittaker worked with three other firefighters in alternating tunnelling teams of two. The firefighters were unable to use breathing apparatus or wear helmets due to the cramped conditions. Debris had to be passed backwards along the bodies of the rescuers and down the tunnel as there was no room to turn around. Firefighters were stationed at the tunnel entrance so that when there were significant aftershocks they could quickly pull the tunnellers out by their feet. Eventually the team of tunnellers, including Whittaker, located a small group of students trapped under a beam. Two bodies had to be removed before the students could be reached. One student was trapped by her ankle and it took a long time to free her, but amputation was avoided. Another student was trapped by his head, but was pulled from beneath the beam and extracted through the tunnel. A third student could not be freed until an amputation was carried out by a civilian doctor assisted by another team of firefighters, through an access hole from above. The rescue efforts of Mark Whittaker and his team were carried out in dense smoke from the fire and under the constant threat of aftershocks.
AWARDS
New Zealand Bravery Medal
NOTES
Born 1973
Died 22 June 2018 Rangiora, New Zealand
Cremated 28 June 2018
Hero firefighter who helped pull students from burning CTV building during Christchurch quake dies.
[New Zealand Herald 23 June 2018]
A celebrated firefighter awarded for bravery during the Christchurch earthquakes has died unexpectedly at home. Mark David Whittaker, 45, died suddenly on Tuesday. Whittaker's bravery in the 2011 quake was recognised with a New Zealand bravery award in 2014.
He was part of a team of firefighters who tunnelled into the burning CTV building and rescued a group of trapped students. With others, Whittaker worked to pass debris backwards along their own bodies because there was no space to turn around.The team of tunnellers, including Whittaker, eventually found a small group of students trapped under a beam. Two bodies had to be removed before they could rescue one student who was trapped by her ankle and another who was trapped by his head. A third student could not be freed until a civilian doctor performed an amputation through an access hole from above.Whittaker's death has been described as a complete shock to family and friends.Canterbury firefighters paid tribute to "one hell of a firefighter, one hell of a man" and his contribution to basketball was remembered by Canterbury Basketball. "The entire Canterbury Basketball community is heartbroken... Mark Whittaker was extremely passionate about basketball, was recognised as a hero for his work as a firefighter, as well as being an outstanding father, husband, friend, son." He is survived by wife Caroline and children Charlotte, Mason, and Lauren.A funeral will be held in the Rangiora Chapel, Wai-mana, on Thursday, with a private cremation to follow. Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff were invited to wear uniform and medals to the service.Caroline said the service will be live streamed for those who can not attend.
