Memorial for balloon crash dead

MEMORIAL: Work is under way on a memorial at the site of the Carterton balloon crash on Somerset Rd.PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

The victims of New Zealand's worst hot air balloon disaster are to be remembered at a memorial being built at the site of the 2012 crash in Carterton.

A parking area which will house a memorial boulder, plaque and seating has been created at the Somerset Rd site where 11 people, including the pilot, died on January 7, 2012.

Carterton Mayor John Booth said the off-road parking area was due to be completed very soon, and the memorial itself, which will include a commemorative boulder with a plaque naming the victims, and a seat for visitors, would be unveiled early next year on the fourth anniversary of the tragedy.

A 7m wooden fence has been built to screen the site from the adjacent property and a special seat is being built by the Rotary Club of Carterton.

Plans to construct the memorial had been in the wings for several years, but it was felt appropriate to let some time pass before beginning work on construction, Mr Booth said.

"It was a matter of how much time do you let go by - it's a matter of being sensible."

Council had canvassed the idea of the memorial with the families of the victims and had received a "resounding yes", Mr Booth said.

Last year the council formed a working group to investigate the idea of a memorial after receiving a letter from Ruth McIntosh, the sister of victim Stephen Hopkirk, who proposed a memorial plaque near where Hopkirk and his partner, Belinda Harter, and the nine other people in the balloon died.

"I'm sure the people of Carterton were affected by the tragedy in their community and it certainly has had a lasting impact on the family and friends of those who died. My mother had heard from a member of your community that at the time of the crash donations were made to the council, so perhaps these funds could go towards a small plaque in Somerset Rd near the place of the crash," she wrote in the letter, which was discussed at a council meeting in August last year.

The memorial is being erected on land owned by Graeme Tulloch, who said he had raised the idea of creating an off-road space after seeing some "kids hop out and a truck go past" the site.

"If it kept happening someone was going to get hurt."

A "steady stream of people" had been stopping and pulling over on the narrow stretch of road, Mr Tulloch said.

"We don't want to have more accidents there - and it's the little bit you can give to the community now and again."

Council community development manager Carolyn McKenzie said the council was responding to requests from the community and family that visited the site.

"It's to give them a safe and secure space off the road to pay their respects. That has been a concern because there were a number of people affected by the tragedy and we and the landowner have recognised that we need to provide a safe place for people to stop."

Safety was especially important as the 100km/h road was often used by logging trucks, Ms McKenzie said.

A special memorial unveiling service will be held on the anniversary of the tragedy on January 7, with some family members and emergency services staff expected to attend. The public is also welcome.