Two men killed on rail tracks

Police have urged greater care around railway lines after two men were killed by trains in unrelated incidents at the weekend.

Police are yet to identify a Pakeha male, in his late teens or early 20s, killed when he was struck by a train in Te Awamutu yesterday morning.

Constable Scott Miller of Te Awamutu said the man was lying on the tracks when he was hit at about 4.20am.

Mr Miller said police were still trying to identify the man, including talking to revellers at a large party held near where the accident occurred.

"We have talked to a number of people, but no one can remember seeing anyone matching the deceased's description."

The man was wearing black jeans and a black Metallica T-shirt. No identification was found on the body.

Police were not treating the death as suspicious.

"The injuries were horrific.

"It is a bad time of year for something like this to happen - not that there is a good time," Mr Miller said.

Rail traffic near Te Awamutu was halted for four hours after the incident.

Constable Kelly Westerby said the man may have fallen asleep on the tracks after drinking.

Blenheim police, meanwhile, were yet to release details of a man killed in a similar incident on Saturday morning. The man was hit by a freight train north of Blenheim at around 4am.

A spokesman said the deaths were a tragedy and urged more care near railway lines.