Pedestrian is dead after train collision

A person has died after being struck by a goods train in Tokoroa last week.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the collision on Bridge St at 5.40am on Wednesday.

The person died at the scene, Northern Fire Communications shift manager Jaron Phillips said.

A southbound freight train struck a person on the tracks at a level crossing, a Kiwirail spokesperson said.

‘‘Unfortunately this has resulted in a fatality.

‘‘The train driver was relieved of his duties as is normal procedure, and will be offered counselling.

The line reopened at 7.50am and services resumed as normal soon after, Kiwirail said in a statement.

It appeared the goods train, servicing the nearby Kinleith Mill, was heading towards the mill across Bridge St in the centre of town.

Information indicates that the flashing lights and bells at the crossing were working at the time of the incident, Kiwirail said.

‘‘Incidents like this are distressing and Kiwirail’s thoughts are with the family of the deceased, our staff and those who attended this incident.’’

A footpath runs along Bridge St where the tracks cut through the road outside Super Liquor, Tokoroa Fire Chief Dave Morris said.

‘‘There’re no barrier arms - just lights.’’

Morris said the train stopped a small distance away but he could not see whether the train was laden with goods.

Firefighters supplied a tarpaulin to police to protect the scene as bad weather sets in, Morris said.

‘‘The person was already deceased. We went and helped put a tarp down and that was it for us.’’

Police were notified of a pedestrian hit by a train at 5.30am, police said in a statement. Police arrived at the scene and found the pedestrian had died.

‘‘Police are making enquiries into the incident.‘‘

Kiwirail ran a campaign last August as a result of an increase in incidents involving pedestrians.

Tracksafe Manager Megan Drayton said at the time that distractions like phones and familiarity with an area were factors in many accidents.

People need to ensure the security of their property and remember to not leave items unattended.

There have been quite a few thefts in vehicles with items being taken that have been left lying around.

It is usually just small items such as cell phones being left unattended.

Vehicles are also not being returned after being lent to associates, so it’s just a matter of making sure that you know the person.

Make sure you know who you are giving your vehicle to, that you have sighted their driver’s licence, and have a discussion on when the vehicle is going to be returned. BURGLARIES We have attended five burglaries over the past week, three of which didn’t involve anything being taken.

The other two have small items that were taken, and lines of enquiry into one of the small item thefts are being following up. FAMILY HARM There were 15 family harm incidents this week with some still having investigations carried out.

As as of yet there have been no arrests have been made, and no one has been charged with any offences

‘‘Incidents like this are distressing and Kiwirail's thoughts are with the family of the deceased.’’ Kiwirail spokesperson