Tributes for young balloon tragedy victims

Alexis Still and her partner Chrisjan Jordaan died in yesterday's hot air balloon accidents. Photo / Supplied

A young couple who died in yesterday's ballooning tragedy had already tried twice to go up in a hot air balloon but bad weather had postponed it.

Finally, fine weather yesterday meant 19-year-old Alexis Still and her partner Chrisjan Jordaan, in his early 20s, could float over Carterton.

But by 7.30am the pair were among 11 people who died when the balloon hit a power line, caught fire and plummeted into a paddock.

Daniel Tiaiti, associate pastor of the Arise Church which both attended, today described the couple as generous, gracious and loving.

The pair had been attending the church at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre for about five years, but had been a couple for about a year.

They both were part of a mission group that travelled to Africa in 2010, and got together after that, Mr Tiaiti said.

The pair was well-known at the about 5000-member church.

Alexis was particularly involved with teenagers at the church, while Chrisjan was involved with university students.

"They loved people of all ages, kids, teenagers, university students."

Mr Tiaiti had last spoken to the pair just before Christmas where they were both heavily involved in the church's Christmas production.

"Alexis was a very talented actress.

"Bubbly girl, really bright."

Yesterday was their third attempt to go up in a hot air balloon, after the first two times were cancelled because of the weather.

Mr Tiaiti said he was shocked when he found out about yesterday's tragedy about 11am.

"Then hope and wait, then there's a realisation we may have to face the worst. At the same time there's a sense of reassurance just knowing they have gone to a better place."

This morning the church opened its Sunday service with a prayer for the couple.

It had been a sad morning at the church and there was a very sombre mood in the air, Mr Tiaiti said.

The church had been in contact with both families, who were "pretty distraught".

Mr Jordaan's family was from Gore, Ms Still's family from Churton Park in Wellington.

Ms Still's father, Landcorp business manager Allan Still, said yesterday he was too upset to say much.

"We would like some privacy at the moment and don't really want to comment or make any statements," he said.