Tadcaster Man Among New Zealand Dead
25 February 2011, 10:09 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
A Tadcaster man has been confirmed as one of the two Britons killed in New Zealand's Earthquake.
British chef Gregory Tobin who's 25, died when the quake tore apart Christchurch on South Island earlier this week
The identity of the other British victim has not yet been confirmed.
Mr Tobin, who attended Tadcaster Grammar School, had been on a round the world trip and was believed to have been working temporarily at a garage in Christchurch.
Friends have left tributes to him on Facebook. One read: ``Such a nice guy and at such a young age.''
Another read: ``Sad times ... I can't believe it.''
The death toll in the New Zealand earthquake has risen to 113, with 200 more still buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings after the 6.3-magnitude quake. Hopes of pulling anyone else out of the rubble alive have diminished.
Officials said the death toll is likely to rise, and New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully said the government was preparing to give family members from several countries some bad news.
Hundreds of rescuers from across the globe, including a 55-strong search and rescue team drawn from the British emergency fire and rescue services, continue to scour Christchurch's shattered town centre district.
Civil Defence Minister John Carter said: "We are still hopeful that there still may be people rescued but it's getting less and less likely.''
The Foreign Office is working with the local authorities, police and hospitals to get more information about the large number of British people living in the area.
Up to 120 bodies are still believed to be inside the Canterbury Television building, which also housed an English language school.
A dedicated hotline - 020 7008 8765 - has been set up for concerned friends and relatives in the UK.
British nationals in New Zealand are advised to call 049 242 898 for advice and assistance.
A dedicated hotline - 020 7008 8765 - has been set up for concerned friends and relatives in the UK.
British nationals in New Zealand are advised to call 049 242 898 for advice and assistance.
