In this photo taken Tuesday, March 1, 2011, an unidentified woman poses next to a car-sized boulder which smashed Phil Johnson's house in last month's earthquake, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Johnson has sold the rock, Rocky, in an online auction for more than 60,000 New Zealand dollars (US$44,300). Johnson said the 30-ton boulder tumbled down from a hill overlooking his home, crunched through the roof of his garage and came to rest in his hallway during the Feb 22 quake. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal. ((AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Phil Johnson) / March 8, 2011) |
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A New Zealand homeowner whose house was smashed by a car-sized boulder in an earthquake that devastated the country's second-largest city last month has sold the rock in an online auction for more than 60,000 New Zealand dollars ($44,300).
Christchurch resident Phil Johnson says the 30-ton boulder he dubbed "Rocky" tumbled down from a hill above his home, crunched through the garage roof and came to rest in his hallway.
The winning bid of NZ$50,000 ($36,900) was posted by a ski field promotion company, NZSki, but the next-highest bidder agreed to throw in NZ$10,050 in exchange for a resort vacation organized by NZSki.
Trade Me auction spokesman Paul Ford says proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.
