The body of the pilot in Saturday's hot-air balloon crash was formally identified as Lance Hopping, 53, of Carterton, at a hearing before Coroner Peter Ryan in Wellington yesterday afternoon.
Eleven died when the balloon struck powerlines in Carterton and erupted into flames during an early-morning flight over the Wairarapa.
The two sites where bodies were recovered will be blessed today as emergency services staff and neighbours gather to pay a final tribute to the victims.
The blessing, by the Rev Jenny Chalmers and Hurunui-O-Rangi representatives, is due at midday, just hours before Somerset Rd is reopened to the public.
Carterton Mayor Ron Mark said the ceremony was a chance to acknowledge the response by police officers, firefighters, air accident investigators and Victim Support staff, as well as the residents of the street.
