An 11-year-old girl struck and killed by a train this evening was with a group of young friends - some of whom witnessed the tragedy.
Emergency services remain at the scene near the bridge on Great South Road, not far from Old Taupiri Rd, in Ngaruawahia tonight.
The accident happened about 6pm.
The circumstances of the incident are not fully known, but a source told the Herald the victim had been on the bridge with a small group of her friends at the time.