KEY POINTS:
A man in his mid-20s is dead after a collision between a train and a car on a level crossing in Napier this morning.
The sole occupant of the Toyota Corolla appeared to have died instantly in the accident, which happened in the suburb of Onekawa about 11.30am, Sergeant Ray Wylie said.
The crash happened at a level crossing on Prebensen Drive, a key arterial road, leading to a container park.
The train had almost crossed the road when the driver of the car appeared to have passed a queue of stationary cars and driven into the side of the last carriage, Mr Wylie said.
Police were making inquiries with the registered owner of the vehicle about who the driver was, as he was not carrying any identification.
The crossing was protected by give way signs, and KiwiRail staff onsite used stop/go signs to stop traffic while the train went through, a KiwiRail spokeswoman said.
- NZPA
