Noise may have stopped man from hearing oncoming train

Wind and traffic noise may have prevented an elderly man from hearing the train which killed him on Saturday.

The 85-year-old Mt Maunganui man was hit after stepping on to the track around 12.40pm.

Senior Sergeant Rob Glencross said the train had been travelling slowly and its low rumble may have been covered by traffic on Maunganui Road and winds which were "blowing the wrong way".

The victim is expected to be named today.

- NZPA