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Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe helps a family member exit the plane at Antarctica - Source: ONE News -
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Family members of the people killed in the Erebus disaster have attended an emotional service at the memorial site at Scott Base.
Peter Beck, Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, addressed the gathered relatives of the crash victims, while wreaths were placed at the memorial and photographs were taken.
The trip by the 104 family members was cut short however by the threat of fog.
The Air Force flight was set to return early to Christchurch about 6.30pm, well ahead of fog rolling in about 8pm.
It has been 32 years since the Air New Zealand DC-10 crashed on Mt Erebus, killing all 257 people on board.
During today's memorial service, Beck told the gathered family members of crash victims that "In the chill of winter, and the warm breath of summer, we remember them".
Denise Roper, who lost her father, read a Bill Manhire poem. She said she was "finishing my dad's journey, and I'm doing it for my mum".
Andrew Bond, who lost his parents, said "to look out and see where they died, somewhere so beautiful, I'll remember for the rest of my days".
Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe said he had a "weight on my heart that some aren't here" and pledged that everything would be done to "ensure they can come in the future".
While the weather blocked a visit to the crash site at Mt Erebus, 37 kilometres away from the base, the families were able to look around Scott Base.
The families, although disappointed at not visiting the site, said Erebus had a will of its own.
Family members earlier spoke of having "mixed emotions" during the trip.
One man said that everyone on the plane was "emotionally connected".
"I've never been in that situation with so many people where you all share the same thing," he said.
A capsule containing messages from the family will remain at Scott Base and eventually be taken to the crash site.
Scott Base, which usually only has 365 visitors over a summer, has had to enlist help from the Americans at McMurdo base to help transport the families.
The son of one of the Erebus victims, Dave Dawson had earlier said that he had not had time to reflect on what was happening.
"But I dare say that it will hit us when we get there," he said.
Fyfe said yesterday that "for all of us, to some degree, Antarctica and Erebus has shaped our lives.
"But for people who actually lost someone in the tragedy, that has been a defining moment in their life and to be able to connect to that physical location is very important," he told ONE News.
ONE News reporter Vicki Wilkinson Baker was the only reporter covering events in Antarctica.
"These people were not looked after properly at the time of the accident in 1979, that's why 31 years later they still need looking after now.
"The mountain and the scenery there is absolutely stunning, and even though this shocking crash happened there, I think it's important that the family members see this site because it really is a beautiful resting place for those that died."
The temperature was around -7 degrees Celsius today.
Wilkinson-Baker said the trip probably cost about $5000 per person for the trip.
- with NZPA
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