The 73-year-old old, killed this morning when his car collided with a freight train at a level crossing near Auckland, has been named by police.
Ronald Charles Murphy, of Coatesville, was the sole occupant of the car and died at the scene after the incident at the intersection of State Highway 16 and Joyce Adams Place in Waimauku.
Mr Murphy's family were being supported by Victim Support, and the serious crash unit was investigating the incident.
Only two to four trains per day travelled on the section of track and it was not heavily used by motorists either, said KiwiRail spokeswoman Jenni Austin.
It was marked by stop signs but there were no flashing lights, bells or barriers in place.