Three deaths in a morning

Those who attended a grim scene where a woman and baby were hit by a train in Hamilton have been offered counselling.

The woman and infant were among three people found dead in two unrelated incidents within hours in the city yesterday morning. Both cases were not considered suspicious.

Police confirmed a woman and infant were found dead at a Hamilton railway station, with the area cordoned off. Kiwirail confirmed a member of the public was struck by a freight service train at Frankton just after 8am.

‘‘Police are conducting a routine scene examination and offering support to those at the scene,’’ a police spokesperson said. The death is expected to be referred to the coroner.’’

Police took part in a ‘‘debrief’’ after the Frankton incident, which was common after significant incidents.

Ensuring staff members who attended, or were involved in distressing incidents, received all the support they needed was important, she said.

Kiwirail acting group chief executive David Gordon said these types of events are deeply traumatic for those involved and the company’s thoughts were with all those affected.

The locomotive engineer had been put on leave and will be offered counselling. The line was closed yesterday, causing disruptions to freight services between Hamilton and Tauranga.

Meanwhile, a male was found dead on the Hamilton river path in Whitiora just before 6am in a separate incident. Police made inquiries and a spokeswoman said the death was not suspicious. It was not linked to the Frankton deaths.