KEY POINTS:
An investigation has been launched after two Overlander trains collided at National Park station yesterday.
One person was injured in the accident, and 124 passengers completed their journeys by bus.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) opened an investigation today.
TAIC chief investigator of accidents Tim Burfoot said the two trains, one heading north, one south, always met at the National Park Station and swapped crews.
As there is only one line at the station, one train passes around the other using a small loop line before settling back alongside the platform back-to-back with the other.
However, yesterday, the train did not slow down as necessary after completing the loop, and hit the stationary engine.
Mr Burfoot said TAIC had only received preliminary data and it was not yet clear how fast the train was travelling.
He did not know the extent of the passenger's injuries, but said he believed they were "slight".
The 100-year-old Overlander service faced the axe last year due to falling passenger numbers, but was re-launched with a new look in December.
Toll runs the tourist service daily over the summer, and three times a week during the off-peak season.
- NZPA
