Police identify Auckland man dragged to his death by train

Police, ambulance staff and railway staff on the railway lines in the tunnel under Broadway, Newmarket today. Photo / Martin Sykes

An elderly man who was dragged to his death by a train in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket has been identified by police.

Police now know the man's name, but it will not be released until his next of kin have been informed.

The man, believed to be in his 70s, slipped after his foot became trapped as he attempted to get off a train at Newmarket station.

He was dragged several metres by the train until it stopped just under the Newmarket Broadway overbridge, police said.

Emergency services and Ontrack workers arrived at the scene shortly after 1.15pm.

Newmarket Business Association chief executive Cameron Brewer said he had never had any complaints about the safety of the temporary platform on Kingdon Street at Newmarket station.

"It has been operating for over 18 months, since the old station was decommissioned. In fact people have been calling for the platform to be made permanent because it has been working well," he said.

Both the Kingdon Street and Remuera Road temporary platforms are set to be removed in January 2010, when the new central Newmarket rail station is opened, Mr Brewer added.

Train services resumed on the western line by 4.15pm, although passengers could expect minor delays this evening, according to Auckland public transport website Maxx.

- NZPA