The shock of Saturday's fiery balloon crash is still sinking in as the family of a retired Masterton couple await the return of their remains.
Desmond Dean, 70, and his wife Ann, 65, will be missed by a large and loving family including three daughters and six grandchildren.
The $350 balloon ride was given to the couple as a Christmas present by their children, who watched on as the balloon burst into flames and crashed into a paddock near Carterton.
Mrs Dean's brother, Murray Davies, said the crash had been "a terrible thing'' and its impact was yet to sink in.
"The shock hasn't sort of hit me properly yet. Some people take longer than others,'' he told APNZ.
The crash had also come as "a hell of a shock'' to the wider family, who were trying to console each other as they awaited the return of the bodies.
"We don't know when we're going to get the bodies back or anything.'' The couple had yet to be formally identified.
Mr Davies said his sister and brother-in-law had been a lovely couple.
"I don't say we were in each other's pockets, but you know what families are like.
"They'll be missed. They were a lovely couple.''
Mr Davies said it was still too soon for him to share any memories of his sister and brother-in-law.
Memorial notices placed by members of the couple's family appeared in newspapers today.
They were described as a devoted husband and wife, an adored mother and father and a treasured gran and poppa.
