Details of a failed rescue effort in the wake of the February earthquake have been revealed at an inquest in Christchurch.
The inquest being held all week is looking into the deaths of 144 victims of the 6.3-magnitude quake on 22 February.
Police are presenting evidence detailing when each person was located, how they were identified and what the post-mortem revealed was the cause of death.
On Wednesday, the hearing focused on the 18 people killed after the PGC building in the central city collapsed.
Detective Inspector Paul Kench told the inquest that Australian Carey Bird was working on the fourth floor of the building at Marsh Insurance at the time of the quake.
Mr Kench says following the collapse of the building, Mr Bird was found alive and conscious but pinned against the rubble and despite extensive efforts to save him, he died at the scene later that day.
The inquest in the afternoon will focus on five victims killed in other parts of the city.
