Woman dead after hit by train in Hutt Valley

Rail operator Tranz Metro says a train driver will be stood down and offered counselling after a freight train struck and killed a woman in Lower Hutt early this morning.


The woman in her mid-20s was hit by the northbound train between Waterloo and Epuni stations about 3.05am.


Tranz Metro spokeswoman Sue Foley said it was "incredibly distressing" for the driver and the families of those involved. She said there was nothing drivers could do to avoid these accidents.


It is the third fatality where people have been bit by trains in the Hutt Valley this year.


"Obviously with all these incidents we immediately stand our driver down and they are offered counselling," Ms Foley said.


Tracks were cleared in time for commuter trains because the accident happened so early.


Tranz Metro would help the police investigation in any way it could but "the train was obviously where it was meant to be".


She said it was for Ontrack, which manages the tracks for the Crown, to determine whether better pedestrian barriers might have prevented the tragedy.


Police are appealing for witnesses and have not been able to identify the victim.


"Obviously we are keen to identify this person and somebody will be able to assist us," Sergeant Ryan O'Rourke, of Lower Hutt police, said in a statement.


- NZPA