Photos of hot air balloon crash released
Photographs showing the shocking moment a hot air balloon hit power lines and burst into flames have been released.
All 11 passengers and crew were killed when their hot air balloon drifted into power lines over Carterton, New Zealand on January 7, 2012, caught fire and then plummeted to the ground.
While widely reported as the country’s worst air crash, New Zealand authorities initially sought to contain the graphic images of the incident.
Geoff Walker’s photographs were used to by police to investigate the tragedy but were ultimately banned from public release.
After a three-year court battle with the photographer and local media outlets, the images have been released.
The New Zealand coroner in charge of the case, Peter Ryan, believes releasing the photographs are in the public interest.
Family members of those killed in the horrific crash agree.
The father of one victim said it was important for people considering a hot air balloon ride to understand the risk.
“The public have the right to see those photographs because they need to have the opportunity to make a judgment on whether balloon is safe or not,” he said.
Morning news break - January 25
