Crash partially derails goods train
Freight truck and carriage reportedly collide on rail tracks
Atrain was partially derailed after colliding with a freight truck on the rail lines in Port Whangārei. Police were called to the intersection of Fertilizer Rd and Port Rd about 2.40pm yesterday where the train appeared to have hit the truck, knocking a flatbed carriage from the track.
The Advocate understands the train was travelling towards the port when the truck passed through the railway crossing. The back carriage reportedly clipped the truck’s trailer unit, flipped the trailer and derailed the carriage.
An Advocate reporter said the truck and trailer were lying on their side while the train managed to stay upright but a carriage had slightly come off the rails.
Police confirmed one person received moderate injuries in the collision.
Port Rd remained open, but Fertilizer Rd was blocked as emergency services responded.
Three separate crashes in the Whangārei district earlier yesterday resulted in injuries to three people, and police confirmed the death of a man involved in a crash in October.
A 59-year-old man died a month and a half after a crash on State Highway 1, Waiomio on October 18. A woman died immediately after the van and car collided about 50m south of the intersection with Waiomio Rd, and the man was initially reported to be critically injured.
Police confirmed the man’s death, and that it would not count towards this year’s road toll as it occurred more than 30 days after the crash.
Northland’s road toll for the year stands at 35, the highest since 2018.
The first of yesterday’s crashes, involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, happened on Rust Ave about 10am.
One ambulance responded, and a patient with moderate injuries was transported to Northland Base Hospital, St John said.
A second crash, at the intersection of SH14 and Otaika Valley Rd, was reported to police about 10.35am. No road closures were in place. A third crash, which involved two vehicles, was on Pipiwai Rd, Ruatangata. One person was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Just last month, Senior Sergeant
Haydn Korach of Far North police urged people to plan trips and take their time when driving over summer, after two fatal crashes in a week.
“Whatever trip you’re planning, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve done this numerous times in the past or not, the trip’s going to take longer.
“People need to plan their trips accordingly, take their time, take a breath and be patient.”
Senior Sergeant Haydn Korach