7 Jan 2016

Balloon victims' names carved in stone

2:44 pm on 7 January 2016

About 200 people turned out for the unveiling of a memorial in Wairarapa for the 11 people killed in a hot air balloon crash four years ago today.

Chrisjan Jordaan and Alexis Still.

Chrisjan Jordaan and Alexis Still. Photo: Geoff Walker Photography

The memorial - a large limestone rock with a plaque engraved with the names of those killed - has been put up at the site of the crash in Somerset Road, just north of Carterton this morning.

The memorial for the 11 people killed in a hot air balloon crash.

200 people turned out to see the memorial unveiled. Photo: SUPPLIED / Carterton District Council

Carterton mayor John Booth said the community, emergency services and the families of the victims all turned up for the ceremony.

Some people were concerned it was too early to build a memorial but the feedback today was surprisingly supportive.

"We've had a wonderful response from especially the family members who were there. They all just said it actually has really helped them and comments like 'I can walk away today feeling like I've finally walked over the line, a weight off the shoulders' and things like that," he said.

"They have a special place that they can come back and visit."

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