Hot Air Balloon Crash Kills 11 in New Zealand


Authorities in New Zealand have confirmed that 11 people have died after a hot air balloon crashed near the rural town of Carterton, some 94 miles north of the capital, Wellington.

Multiple news outlets are reporting that the incident happened just before 7:30am on Saturday local time (18:30 GMT Friday).

While the official cause of the crash has yet to be determined, Radio New Zealand reported that a cyclist saw flames licking up the side of the basket below the hot air balloon. The cyclist said he saw 32-foot high flames trailing from the descending balloon.

“It came down like a bloody rocket and then there was a big bang,” nzherald.co.nz quoted local resident David McKinlay as saying.

Reports from the area, which is said to be popular with balloonists, say the horrible accident occurred in bright, clear conditions with little wind.

More details of the New Zealand hot air balloon crash will be released as information becomes available.

Share this article: Hot Air Balloon Crash Kills 11 in New Zealand
More from Inquisitr