10 Jan 2012

Balloon crash victims' bodies returned to families

10:09 pm on 10 January 2012

Two bodies from a fatal hot air balloon crash in Wairarapa have been returned to their families.

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Ten passengers and the pilot were killed when the balloon caught fire and plummeted to the ground near Carterton on Saturday

The bodies of Chrisjan Jordaan, 21, and his girlfriend Alexis Still, 19, both of Wellington were formally identified on Tuesday and have been released by the coroner.

A scene examination at the crash site is continuing and some wreckage has been taken to the capital, Wellington, for further examination.

The Transport Accident Commission says a full inquiry into the crash could take anywhere from six months to a year.