A 15-year-old facing serious charges over the death of an Auckland man has escaped from Child Youth and Family care.

Rev.Jenny Chalmers says seeing photos of the balloon crash victims smiling before their flight would be positive for the families.

"Whatever caused the Carterton accident, the death toll is notable. The right lessons must be drawn."

Action has been taken to prevent people from taking items which washed ashore this morning from the Rena. Efforts are underway to keep more containers floating away.

The father of the youngest man killed in the balloon tragedy hopes his son and girlfriend didn't burn to death in the basket.

The victims of the hot air balloon tragedy in Carterton in the Wairarapa.