The Star: April 04, 2019

The Star Thursday April 4 2019
news online at www.star.kiwi
Dubovskiy ‘supported’ accused gunman – police
• By Sophie Cornish
A RUSSIAN man who died
during a police stand-off was
a “significant threat” and
“supported” the actions of the
accused mosque shooter, police
say.
Troy Dubovskiy, 54, died of a
suspected suicide after a threehour
stand-off with police in
the early hours of March 27 in
Richmond.
Canterbury District
Commander Superintendent
• By Julia Evans
CHRIS TODD set herself a
goal – be alive when Sumner Rd
reopens.
It was an emotional first
cycle over the 2.6km of new
road on Sunday for the former
Christchurch Boys’ High School
maths and athletics teacher,
known as Toddy, who retired
after it was discovered she had 27
tumours on her liver.
She calls them ‘the fockers’.
“I’m still so emotion about it.
I’d forgotten how beautiful the
view was,” Miss Todd said.
“I was biking along and
thinking this is so amazing.”
Sumner Rd was closed after the
earthquakes and reopened on
Friday. Sunday’s ride was the first
time Miss Todd had been on a
bike outdoors since August.
“The feeling I had was just
that I’m so lucky. You forget
everything else. I do it to spite
the fockers,” she said.
On April 10, 2014, Miss
Todd was told she had a
gastrointestinal neuroendocrine
tumour, which has spread, and is
terminal and inoperable.
It’s the same kind of cancer
that Apple founder Steve Jobs
died of in 2011.
Since her diagnosis, the active
Sumner resident has been doing
everything in her power to
finish her bucket list, which has
included several trips to cycle the
Alpes d’Huez section of the Tour
de France, as well as making it
John Price said Dubovskiy came
to police attention due to “some
concerning emails” he sent,
which included reference to the
terror attack on March 15, in
which 50 people were killed.
Search warrants at three
properties linked to Dubovskiy
uncovered “firearms,
ammunition and violent
extremist material,” said
Superintendent Price.
It was reported officers found
a cache of firearms, including
a modified semi-automatic
Toddy ticks off bucket list
BUCKET LIST: Chris Todd set herself the goal of being alive
to cycle through Evans Pass and over Sumner Rd.
PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER
up Evans Pass and Sumner Rd.
But while Miss Todd had been
in remission, the cancer has
come back.
“I’ve had to start treatment
again, it’s been five weeks since
my last session and I’m as sick as
a dog.”
She hasn’t been able to eat
properly and has been on an IV.
Her next treatment is on April
30 and she plans to ask her
doctors how long she has left,
then plans to prove them wrong.
More than $50,000 was raised
for Miss Todd to have radiation
weapon, along with Nazi
uniforms, helmets and clothing.
“Based on inquiries to date it is
clear that Dubovskiy supported
the actions of the man charged
with murder in relation to the
Christchurch terror attack,
however, no connection has
been established between the
two,” said Superintendent Price.
Police say there are two other
people being investigated.
At about 3.40am, after a
prolonged stand-off, Dubovskiy
was found critically injured
treatment in Australia, which
is not funded through the New
Zealand health system.
While she was in her hospital
bed in Melbourne, Miss Todd
said she saw a poster advertising
the Unicorn Foundation,
the only charity focused on
patients with her rare form of
cancer, which was looking for
participants in the Tour of New
Zealand.
“I thought that’s me. Stop
wallowing and sign up for it.”
It’s a 630km cycle, which
covers between 70 and 100km
with what appeared to be stab
wounds. Superintendent Price
said the likely cause of any
bruising on Dubovskiy’s face
was caused by him being forcibly
extracted from the vehicle. He
received a dog bite and abrasions
to his face.
He said an investigation into
police’s actions is under way.
Superintendent Price said
officers at the scene, acted in a
“courageous and brave manner
and provided immediate first aid
to Dubovskiy.”
a day, including hill climbs like
the Crown Range. It starts in
Queenstown on Saturday and
finishes in Wellington.
“I’m hoping to do most of it,
but I don’t know what’s up with
my body. I know what’s going
on in my head, but now I have to
listen to my body,” she said.
Miss Todd finds going up hill a
lot easier. The invasive treatment
she’s been having means she’s
lost a lot of weight.
“My bike pants are loose,” she
said.
But while Miss Todd has had
a few sleepless nights worrying
about whether she will make it
through the gruelling cycle, she
is excited.
“What do I do? Sit around
and feel sorry for myself or fit
in another experience that I
can remember when I’m in the
hospital bed in Melbourne sick
again,” she said.
“This way I’m seeing my
country and meeting new
people.”
Miss Todd said she is
fighting to stay alive as long as
possible.
“I’m not giving up,” she said.
Her estate will go towards
funding athletics and multi-sport
students attending events they
might not otherwise be able to
afford.
•To support Miss Todd in
the Tour of New Zealand,
go to www.secure.
artezpacific.com/registrant/
FundraisingPage.
NEWS 3
in brief
Two patients still
critical after shooting
Sixteen people remain in
hospital following the mosque
attacks. Twelve patients are in
Christchurch Hospital, with one
still in intensive care in a critical
condition. Two patients are
now at Burwood Hospital. The
four-year-old girl at Starship
Hospital in Auckland is in a
critical but stable condition and
her father remains in a stable
condition at Auckland City
Hospital. A Canterbury District
Health Board spokesman said a
number of patients were able to
be discharged and sent home on
Tuesday
Cat mask arsonist was
12-year-old boy
An alleged arsonist who
wore a cat-mask while he broke
into a New Brighton shop and
started a fire is a 12-year-old
boy. Fire and Emergency
New Zealand was called to
the suspicious fire at the 123
Mart in New Brighton mall at
11.40pm on Sunday. The youth
allegedly smashed the door and
lit a fire, which caused damage
to the building and stock. The
boy was spoken to by police
and referred to Youth Services.
No one else is being sought
by police in relation to the
incident.
Measles cases
increase to 39
The number of confirmed
measles cases in Canterbury
had increased to 39 as of
yesterday. Last week there were
37 confirmed cases. The figure
includes the passenger from
the Virgin Australia flight from
Melbourne last week. However,
a Canterbury District Health
Board spokesman said this case
is not linked to the original
outbreak which is circulating in
Canterbury. General practice
teams are focusing on giving
a dose of the MMR vaccine to
people aged between 12 months
and 28 years, who have never
been immunised. One dose of
the vaccine provides protection
against measles for 95 per cent
of people.
The hearing aid specialists with over
25 years experience in Christchurch!
Our qualified team is ready to assist with a hearing solution tailored to your lifestyle.
We specialise in the following:
• Fully diagnostic hearing tests & 15 minute hearing health checks
• Hearing aid fittings, trials, repairs & cleaning
• ACC & Veterans’ Affairs accredited
• Large selection of hearing aids to suit all your needs
Christchurch | 472 Innes Road, Mairehau
Call 03 385 4950 today
to book your appointment.