Relatives of the 257 people killed in the Mt Erebus air disaster returned last night from an emotional memorial service in Antarctica - but weren't able to see much of the mountain that claimed their loved ones.
The 104 passengers, picked by ballot, had flown out from Christchurch yesterday morning armed with snow boots and special jackets.
Poor weather meant they had to return early last night and Antarctica New Zealand operations and infrastructure manager Iain Miller said the weather meant most of the mountain wasn't visible.
However, the group were able to spend four hours on the ice and attend a memorial service (above) led by the Anglican Dean of Christchurch, Peter Beck.
After the ceremony, the passengers toured Scott Base and Sir Edmund Hillary's trans-antarctic expedition hut.
On November 28, 1979, Air New Zealand Flight 901 was on a sightseeing trip when it crashed into Mt Erebus, killing all on board.
Among those on the ice yesterday was Andrew Bond, who was 16 at the time of the crash and might have been on the trip with his parents, Robbie and Marilyn Bond, if not for a clash with school exams.
Emotional service in Antarctica
Adrienne Cox places a card following a memorial service at the Koru memorial site. Photo / NZPA
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