Train and logging truck collide near Invercargill

Logs spilled from a logging truck after a collision between the truck and train near Invercargill yesterday. Photo / Hayden Williams

The occupants of a logging truck and train south of Invercargill had a lucky escape after the two collided yesterday morning.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident in Lake St about 11.10am, a police spokeswoman said.

It was unclear how the truck and train had collided, but all involved had escaped with only minor injuries.

"One of the [train] crew has a bump on the head and ... the truck driver got a cut finger.''
The impact of the collision was enough to separate the logging truck from its trailer unit.

A log truck driver at the scene, who did not want to be named, said an accident had been likely at the crossing for some time.

"Every day you could have as many as 100 log trucks crossing a day, plus stock trucks.
"This was likely to happen; all the [truck] drivers say the same thing,'' he said.

Officers remained at the scene yesterday and the cause was under investigation, the police spokeswoman said.