Man killed by train near Wellington

File photo / NZ Herald

Fans planning to take the train to tonight's Phoenix soccer match in Wellington are being urged to find other means of travel after a man was struck and killed by a train north of the city this afternoon.

The man, in his 50s, was struck near the platform of Kaiwharawhara Railway Station by a Wellington-bound train, about 2.45pm.

Police were at the scene and speaking to witnesses to attempt to establish the circumstances.

The Phoenix are playing Newcastle at Westpac Stadium at 5pm.

Tranzmetro was putting replacement buses on as it was not possible to reopen the lines before kick off, communications manager Kimberley Brady told NZPA.

She urged Phoenix fans to find alternative means of getting to the stadium but said trains should be running again by the end of the game.

Ms Brady said it was not known whether the man was on the platform or on the tracks.

The train would have been travelling at 40km/h or less, she said.

- NZPA