Man dies after hit by train

A 44-year-old man has died after being hit by a train in the central North Island town of Taihape this morning.

The accident happened at the Taihape railway station about 2.20am as a south bound Tranzrail freight train passed through at low speed, said Acting Inspector Bruce Mackay of police central communications.

The man died at the scene.

"The circumstances of what exactly happened are yet to be established and police are now attempting to retrace his movements leading up to this incident," Mr Mackay said.

The train and emergency services were still at the scene and it was not known when the line would reopen, he said.

"Some next of kin have been advised of the death, however the name of the deceased will not be released at this stage."

It is the second death involving a pedestrian hit by a train in less than a week. On Saturday morning a pedestrian was killed after walking into the path of a train at Raumati South, north of Wellington.

- NZPA