Balloon Tragedy in NZ

My Thoughts this afternoon are with the families and friends of those killed in an accidental Ballooning tragedy in NZ. One of whom was about to wed his long time partner, who sent out his wedding invitations just the day before.

How sad for all involved.

Police have released the names of 11 people killed when a hot air balloon hit power lines and burst into flames in New Zealand yesterday.

The youngest of the victims was a 19-year-old Wellington woman, Alexis Still, whose 21-year-old boyfriend Johannes (Chrisjan) Jordaan also died.

Balloon pilot Lance Hopping, 53, of Masterton, was killed in the accident, just months before he was due to marry his long-term partner.

His cousin told media Mr Hopping had posted the invitations to his Easter wedding the day before the tragedy.

Wellington couple Howard, 71, and Diana Cox, 63, Lower Hutt partners Stephen Hopkirk,50, and Belinda Harper, 49, and cousins Valerie Bennett, 70, of Masterton, and Denise Dellabarca, 58, of Paraparaumu were also among the victims.

Masterton retiree Desmond Dean, 70, and his wife Ann, 65, received the hot air balloon ride as a Christmas present from their children, nzherald.co.nz reported.

It is understood a number of the victims received the balloon ride as a Christmas gift.

Police have vowed to leave no stone unturned while investigating what caused the balloon to crash into power lines.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) spokesman Peter Northcote said the investigation would take some time.

"Six months to a year would be typical for an inquiry of this nature," he said.

Nine bodies remain at the site near Carterton and several investigations are under way into the cause of the accident. It is raining heavily in the area.

Two passengers jumped to their deaths from the burning balloon and nine others died when it crashed to the ground on Saturday.

The balloon hit power lines and the sparks started a fire in the basket, Wairarapa police Area Commander Inspector Brent Register said.

Two passengers, a man and woman, appeared to have jumped from the basket, he said.

The fire then flared and the balloon dropped sharply to the ground, killing the rest of the occupants.

Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock says the Wairarapa community is devastated by the accident.

"For more than a decade, visitors have come to the Wairarapa to enjoy a ballooning experience," Mr Hancock said.

"This will affect our community for some time and we will work closely with everyone as they come to terms with what happened yesterday."

Carterton mayor Ron Mark said the town was bracing to hear the names of those killed.

Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Brent Register said two bodies were removed from the site on Saturday night.

"We're working towards removing the bodies of the other nine victims over the course of the afternoon," he said.

Insp Register said support was continuing to be provided to the families of the victims as they come to terms with the loss of their loved ones.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8399838/police-name-balloon-victims