Emergency services had to extract one person still trapped in the car colliding with the train. Photo / Toni McDonald via Otago Daily Times
Emergency services had to extract one person still trapped in the car colliding with the train. Photo / Toni McDonald via Otago Daily Times
A train sounded its horn moments before a collision with a car in Invercargill which left a person seriously injured, a witness said.
A police spokeswoman said officers were called to reports of a train colliding with a car at the crossing at Renfrew St, Grasmere, about 3.40pm yesterday.
Two occupants of a Mazda car were taken to Southland Hospital after the vehicle collided with a train at the Renfrew St level crossing. Photo / Otago Daily Times
Theblack Mazda Atenza sedan was shunted about 50m by the force of the impact.
A booster seat removed from the car was visible at the side of the train tracks as emergency services worked.
One witness said they heard the train sounding its horn moments before impact.
Another said three people who had recently moved into the area were in the car.
The road and rail level crossing on Renfrew St in Invercargill has no barrier arms. Photo / Google Streetview
KiwiRail executive general manager operations Paul Ashton said the incident involved a shunting train hitting a vehicle on a level crossing fitted with flashing lights and bells.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews from Invercargill and Kingswell stations attended.
