Police urgently seeking to identify man struck by train

File photo / NZ Herald

Police are urgently seeking help to identify a man who was struck by a train in Levin on Friday night, losing part of an arm and a leg.

The man, a European in his 50s or 60s, has remained unconscious in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of Palmerston North Hospital since Friday.

He was struck by a Capital Connect commuter train after a scheduled stop at Levin railway station about 7pm, Detective Brenda Kelly of Levin police said.

The train driver did not realise he had hit someone and travelled 5km before stopping at Koputaroa.

Ms Kelly said inquiries during the weekend, including initial fingerprint tests, failed to identify the man.

"This man is in a very poor condition and we really want to identify any family members or friends quickly in case his condition takes a turn for the worse," she said.

"We are sure someone must know this man, but maybe hasn't realised he is missing. If you have a neighbour fitting his description we would urge you to go and check on their welfare."

The man is described as clean-shaven with wavy silvery-grey hair.

He was wearing light blue denim jeans, a blue zip-up bomber style jacket, a dark green and light cream checked shirt, grey socks, black loafer-style shoes and a black beanie hat with a silver fern symbol on the front.

He had cash on him, but no form of identification.

Police were unclear about what happened at the station and would like to hear from anyone who saw the man on the platform, or how he came to be on the tracks.

Police would also like to hear from a cyclist who approached a patrol car outside the Cosmopolitan Club on Oxford St in Levin, near the junction with Rina St, to alert them to the incident.

- NZPA