Napier woman dies in train horror

Police and emergency services at the scene on Marine Parade, Napier, yesterday. PHOTO/GLENN TAYLOR

A witness has described finding a woman's lifeless body lying next to a Napier railway line after she was hit and killed while walking her pet dog yesterday.

The incident occurred about 3.45pm and police responded soon after members of the public saw a body lying by the railway tracks, 200 metres south of the Marine Parade and Georges Drive intersection, Hawke's Bay area commander Inspector Tania Kura said.

Motorist Hayley Seddon, 24, was first on the scene, after noticing a body wearing a bright yellow jacket lying next to the tracks as she drove along the busy road into Napier.

"The train was coming towards me and as I passed the train I saw this bright yellow jacket. I immediately pulled over, as did another woman in front of me. I said to her 'we're going'."

"I ran towards the tracks while on the phone to emergency services," Miss Seddon said. "Another lady had arrived by that time and she checked her pulse, but she had already gone."

Miss Seddon then picked up and cared for the woman's dog, a black and white jack russell, which had suffered an injured face in the collision.

Napier SPCA manager and senior inspector Bruce Wills later came to collect the injured pet and took him to the SPCA for treatment.

KiwiRail senior communications adviser David Miller said the incident had involved one of KiwiRail's freight trains. The train was carrying six shipping containers as part of its cargo.

"Our train crew will be given time off and our thoughts are with the family of the person involved," he said.

Several residents who live adjacent to the railway line told Hawke's Bay Today they did not hear or see the tragedy but were shaken to learn of the news.

One resident said it was common for people to walk their dogs along Marine Parade, either by the shoreline or next to the train tracks to the west of the road.

The southbound train was stopped by police just after it crossed the Ngaruroro River rail bridge approaching Clive, some 4km further down the line.

Police said it is not known if the train driver knew the woman had been hit and he will be interviewed in due course.

Last night police were yet to release the name of the deceased, while the serious crash unit had been informed of the incident.