Victim Support and Police continue to support families and wider Carterton community

Victim Support and Police are working together to provide support to families affected by Saturday's tragic hot air balloon crash as well as members of the Carterton community.

Victim Support service coordinator for the Wairarapa Gwen Zittersteijn says Wairarapa has a team of 13 Victim Support workers who are working with families of the 11 deceased in Saturday's tragic hot air balloon crash.

"Whilst our focus is on comforting families at this difficult time, our Victim Support workers are also supporting witnesses to the crash and members of the wider Carterton Community, who require some extra support."

Victim Support has Support Workers available nationally to assist with those directly affected, and indeed this is actually happening, particularly with the relatives and many witnesses based in Wellington.

Gwen Zittersteijn encourages the Carterton community to phone Victim Support on their freephone number 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846) to be put in touch with a support worker. Victim Support has support workers available nationally to assist with those directly affected.

Police National Victim Services Manager and officer in charge of the Police Family Liaison Team in Carterton Inspector Wendy Robilliard says the role of Victim Support is key to ensuring the welfare needs of families and the wider community are met at such a tragic time.

"We will continue to work alongside our Victim Support colleagues and other key partner agencies to support all of those affected by Saturday's tragic events. I encourage the Carterton community to utilise the excellent services of Victim Support and phone 0800 VICTIM to be put in touch with a support worker."