Hamilton hot air balloon crashes with two people aboard
Friday, 19 June 2026
It was a Hamilton hot air balloon that crashed in Methven, seconds after an eyewitness photographed it in the air.
A spokesperson from Balloons over Waikato confirmed the balloon involved in the incident involved “a Hamilton balloon and pilot”.
“While the balloon and pilot are known to the Balloons Over Waikato community, this was a private flight operating at a different event,” they said.
“As the matter is now under investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the circumstances of the incident at this time.
“Our thoughts are with those involved. The ballooning community is a close-knit one, and our focus is on supporting those involved.”
The Civil Aviation Authority also confirmed to the Waikato Times they are “aware of an accident involving a hot air balloon in Methven this morning”.
“At this stage, we are making initial enquiries to understand what happened and why, and to determine whether any further action is required.”
The balloon came down on Methven Chertsey Rd near the town’s recreation reserve about 8am Friday.
The Kiwi Balloon Company, which is behind the distinctive balloon, posted online in early June saying it would be at a Saturday event in Methven.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Blair Walklin said two crews responded to the crash.
“On arrival, the balloon had come down. No one was trapped,” Walklin said.
Adventure Balloons NZ - listed online as organiser of the Hot Air Balloon Glow & Laser Show that the balloon was attending - posted a video of a group of balloons launching in Ashburton on Friday morning.
The company said the one that crashed was not theirs.
“It’s definitely not one of our balloons. We’ve got private balloonists down here so I’m guessing it’s going to be one of them,” co-owner Michaela Church said.
Video of the balloon crashing and deflating shows parts of the “Kirikiriroa” and “Hamilton” lettering on the balloon.
Firefighters helped police and ambulance services, removed the balloon from the road it was blocking and left after 22 minutes, he said.
Hato Hone St John assessed two people, one of whom was taken to a local medical centre in a “minor” condition.
Local resident Kate Stewart captured a photo of the balloon moments before it came down.
“It happened about three seconds after I took this picture. It was quick,” Stewart said.
“It was on a slight tilt and deflated right as I took the photo. The sirens came pretty much immediately after it went down. I was hoping everyone on board was OK.”
Her daughter ran home from school after seeing the incident and told her a woman on board had an injured leg.