The Star: January 25, 2024

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The Star Thursday January 25 2024 10 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Burns victim still waiting for surgery • By Daniel Alvey A MAN who was nearly killed in a fiery explosion is making marked progress almost two years after the incident. It will be two years in April since Kevin Burney’s accident. He suffered burns to 70 per cent of his body when a metal drum he was using a grinder on in his driveway exploded in flames on April 2 in 2022. He was rushed to Christchurch in a critical condition and airlifted to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland. Burney, 62, has now regained movement in his left arm following surgery in August, which had been delayed since January last year. “It has been really good. It has given me more freedom to do pretty much everything on that side now,” he said. Despite the progress on the left side, the Darfield resident is still waiting for a final date for the same procedure on his right arm. “It is probably not quite so bad, so hopefully that will recover even better,” said Burney. He is expecting the surgery to happen in the coming months. Burney said he has had to train himself to be more ambidextrous. Due to the surgery delays, he lost his printing job in Christchurch in July. Now Burney is unsure if he will return to work or choose an early retirement. “I lost my job through this process, my company was great, can’t complain about that. “I can’t go back to the same work, because it was a very physical job . . . although I’m mentally fine, I think the physical side would let me down,” he said. The first four weeks after the accident were spent in intensive care, where doctors said they had not seen burns as severe since those they treated from the RECOVERY: Life is slowly normalising for Kevin Burney and wife Amanda. deadly White Island eruption. They did not know whether Burney would survive as he battled for his life. One of his lungs collapsed, he suffered an infection, and his heart stopped during surgery. He spent eight weeks in the burns unit, undergoing several skin graft surgeries. The surgeries were nine-hour marathons involving three surgeons, where skin was taken from unburned areas of his tummy and buttocks, to be grafted onto the burned areas of his torso, arms, hands, and the front and back of his thighs. Burney said his lung and heart have recovered well. “I was quite surprised the other day when I saw a photograph of myself from the first week in hospital and I didn’t realise how badly scared my face was, and you wouldn’t know that now.” Burney, who loves the water, has been able to get back out in it with help. “I’ve got a boat that I haven’t used for a couple of years now. But I’ve also got a couple of kayaks and the physio took me out one day and it was really liberating.” Burney said while the recovery is progressing well there will be limitations to what he can to. “As part of the trauma involved in the explosion my muscles and joints all tightened up . . . so that is going to be ongoing problem keeping those limbs moving.” $17k in tickets paid off in 8 years A MAN who racked up $17,000 in parking tickets and other vehicle-related infringements has finally paid it off after eight years. Todd Fisher, formerly of the inner-city Auckland suburb Parnell but now living in Christchurch, would drive to work in Ponsonby every day and park in a 90-minute spot – then forget to move his car. He said he was playing “carpark roulette” and losing. A $65 parking ticket would increase to $85 if he didn’t pay it within five days. “I was stuck in meetings and I was just a bit busy and I kind of got a ticket every day and then it just escalated from there.” Todd also did not have a warrant of fitness or registration, so would frequently get $400 tickets Todd Fisher Guided and Escorted Group Tours with Kiwi Travel Club • Easy paced – Ideal for mature travelers • Limited places • Book early • Free Club Membership for that. Once the footwell of his backseat began to overflow with tickets, Fisher decided to find out what kind of pickle he was in. When he found he owed $17,000 he set up a payment plan. Australian Red Centre Group Tour Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs 8 Days, departs 24 June 2024 $3,700 Twin Share – Early Bird Special! Save $500 per couple Package includes: • Day tours • Comfortable hotel accommodation • Breakfasts and some other meals • Sounds of Silence Dinner • Local guides His mother confiscated his car for a month, forcing him to use the bus or Uber. Eight years later, he has just paid off the debt. “It’s been a glorious week . . . it’s amazing to get that extra bit of cash back in my paycheck. I got to the point where I was paying about one hundred bucks back a fortnight, so really good to just get that little extra back, you know?” He said parking in Christchurch is “way cheaper”, and any fines he does get are paid straight away. – RNZ The Kimberley Group Coach Tour Darwin to Broome 11 days, departs 23 August 2024 $8,500 Twin Share Early Bird Special! Book Now. Save $1,500 per couple Package includes: • Return flights • Extensive sightseeing • Boat trips and harbour cruise • Many meals Elvis Fans Group Tour Graceland, Nashville, New Orleans, plus Las Vegas & Hawaii Stopovers 16 days, departs 21 September 2024 $9,150 Twin Share Early Bird Offer Available Package includes: • Return flights • Extensive sightseeing • Graceland day tour • Grand Ole Opry Freephone: 0800 895 194 Email: info@ktctours.com kiwitravelclub.co.nz
Thursday January 25 2024 The Star 11 KERI Ryman Resident 15,000 REASONS TO THROW YOUR HANDS UP GET $15,000 BACK FOR A LIMITED TIME* IA 124 2 1.5 92m 2 LIGHT AND INVITING Enjoy cooking in your contemporary kitchen while entertaining family and friends in your spacious open plan living and dining area. Accessible from both the lounge and main bedroom, your private balcony is the perfect spot to unwind in the afternoon sun. Kevin Hickman Village 25 Steadman Road, Riccarton $660,000 Call Wendy 342 4755 For a limited time, if you sign up for one of our new home offers, you'll get a $15,000 credit on settlement*. There's truly never been a better time to choose Ryman. *Terms and conditions apply, visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz/ts&cs SUNSHINE AND SPACE LUXURY APARTMENT TH 100 1.5 2 $720,000 88m 2 IA G4 2 1.5 89m 2 $745,000 rymanhealthcare.co.nz/canterbury Nestled in a sunny corner, this townhouse provides spacious comfort. With two bedrooms and an open plan living and dining area, this home is perfect for entertaining. Ngaio Marsh Village 95 Grants Road, Papanui Call Danielle 354 6608 The contemporary design of this brand-new apartment maximises space and includes full-height windows, allowing plenty of natural light to filter through. Ryman Northwood Retirement Village 20 Radcliffe Road, Northwood Call Sharyn 0800 685 122
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The Star: January 25, 2024

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