"We were like family... I'm broken-hearted at losing my lovely colleagues and friends," a tearful Ms Jackson said at her Mt Pleasant home yesterday.
The others, including station manager and part-owner Murray Wood, presenters, sales staff and production staff are presumed dead after the leased seven-storey CTV building in Madras St collapsed and caught fire on Tuesday.
The toll from the shattered building could be as high as 120.
Ms Jackson was at her desk when the quake struck.
She immediately ran the 5m to the door, not even stopping to collect her handbag or jacket.
"The building was coming in on me. I could hear all the crackling and breaking. It was devastating."
She had just reached the other side of the street when she turned and saw the building fall in, leaving her first-floor colleagues trapped.
"The worst thing is knowing they couldn't get out. I've worked with those people for 10 years. I can't tell you how upset I am," she said.
Standing on the street "covered in dust and in a daze" she saw a wall fall from a church opposite which was being renovated.
"There were two men standing on the scaffolding. I think they must be dead."
Ms Jackson found two other CTV staff members, a young couple who had been out of the building having lunch. Another distraught staff member joined them minutes later.
They were then directed to Latimer Square where Ms Jackson saw some bodies, many injured people and "thousands" like herself milling about shocked and dazed.
"The ground was still going up and down like jelly. It was unreal."
All her colleagues were "one big family" and Mr Wood was like the head of the family, she said.
"Murray was an amazing man. He was the most beautiful. The best boss anyone could have... He had a heart as big as himself and he was a big guy."
Among the others presumed dead were young people and many with families.
"One woman has a 3½-year-old daughter. I feel so much for her family."
All were passionate about television and loved working at CTV, she said.
The company is half owned by Allied Press, also owner of the Otago Daily Times. Allied Press business manager and CTV chairman Nick Smith said yesterday the future of the company would be appraised after the formalities such as funerals.
"Those who have survived are resolved to be back on air as soon as possible, but the practicalities are not so simple."
He paid tribute to the staff presumed dead, saying the company had lost experienced and dedicated people.
