Dove balloons released to honour Carterton victims

Pictured releasing helium filled balloons are Stephen Hopkirk's parents Bob and Merle Hopkirk, far left and right. Photo / Wairarapa Times Age

Eleven helium-filled white dove-shaped balloons were released at this morning's opening of the Balloons Over Wairarapa festival to remember the victims of the Carterton balloon crash, but a tribute flight did not make it off the ground.

A balloon flight by family members of the victims of the crash was scheduled to take off yesterday morning but was postponed because of biting wind, low cloud and rainy conditions.

This morning, strong winds prevented the balloons from ascending, but a ceremony to remember the victims went ahead.

Lance Hopping's daughter Hayley was planning to join relatives of Denise Dellabarca, her cousin Valerie Bennett and Lower Hutt couple Stephen Hopkirk and Belinda Harter at this morning's ceremony.

There was a moment's silence before the 11 helium dove balloons were released around the passenger craft which remained tethered to the ground, Festival flight director Martyn Stacey said.

"[It] was really beautiful because the helium doves flew around the balloons, it was very, very nice."

Wind at ground level was not strong but it was a different story at altitude, he said.

"Safety is paramount with flying conditions ... remember this is a fiesta not a national competition, so we're here to enjoy, entertain and learn."

It was hoped the balloons would be able to take off this afternoon.

Those killed in the crash were pilot Lance Hopping, 53, of Masterton; husband and wife Howard, 71, and Diana Cox, 63, of Wellington; husband and wife Desmond, 70, and Ann Dean, 65, of Masterton; cousins Valerie Bennett, 70, of Masterton and Denise Dellabarca, 58, of Paraparaumu; partners Stephen Hopkirk, 50, and Belinda Harter, 49, of Lower Hutt; and Johannes Jordann, known as Chrisjan, 21, and girlfriend Alexis Still, 19, both of Wellington.