A young couple who died in yesterday's ballooning tragedy had been together for a year after spending time on a church mission to Africa.
Alexis Still and her partner Chrisjan Jordaan were among 11 people who died on an early morning hot air balloon ride that went tragically wrong near Carterton yesterday.
Daniel Tiaiti, associate pastor of the Arise Church which both attended, said today they were both very generous, gracious and loving.
The pair had been attending the church at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre for about five years, but had been a couple for about a year.
They both were part of a mission group that travelled to Africa in 2010, and got together after that, Mr Tiaiti said.
The couple were in their early 20s. Mr Jordaan's family was from Gore, and Ms Still's family was from Churton Park, Wellington.
The pair were well-known among the 5000-strong congregation at the Arise Church.
Alexis was particularly involved with teenagers at the church, while Chrisjan was involved with university students.
Mr Tiaiti said he had last spoken to the pair just before Christmas, during which time they were both heavily involved in the church's Christmas production.
"Alexis was a very talented actress.''
Yesterday was their third attempt to go up in a hot air balloon, after the first two times were cancelled because of the weather.
Mr Tiaiti said he found out about yesterday's tragedy about 11am.
A prayer was said at the beginning of this morning's Arise service. It had been a sad morning at the church and there was a very sombre mood in the air, Mr Tiaiti said.
The church had been in contact with both families.
