Desperate warning can’t stop crash

A train driver desperately honked his horn as he watched a car drive closer and closer before colliding with his train on the outskirts of Morrinsville last night.

Emergency services were called to crash at the intersection of Piako Rd and State Highway 26 shortly before 7pm.

The driver of the car – understood to be in his 70s – was ‘‘heavily trapped’’ and the Morrinsville Volunteer fire service spent about 15 minutes trying to free him from the smoking vehicle.

Constable Erik Harrewijn said the driver of the train saw the car approach from about 30 metres away – on State Highway 26 – and sounded the horn, holding it down as the car continued forward.

However, the car did not stop and the train hit the driver’s side of the car, spinning it into a nearby paddock.

Police were last night speaking to several witnesses who had followed the driver of the car from Hamilton.

Deputy fire chief Steve Turfrey said the driver’s side of the car and dashboard had to be completely removed to free the driver, who was understood to be from Paeroa. He was taken to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

KiwiRail last night said the driver of the 700-metre-long freight train would be stood down for several days and offered counselling.

The spokeswoman said the crash happened at a ‘‘protected crossing’’ with lights and bells, which were in good working order.