One person has been injured in a crash involving a train in the Bay of Plenty.
A police spokeswoman said emergency services were called to Pongakawa School Rd near State Highway 2 about midday after a crash involving a car and a train.
A Hato Hone St John spokesman said one person was taken to Tauranga Hospital in a moderate condition.
A Pongakawa business owner said it appeared the vehicle got stuck on the train track when barriers on either side lowered.
He said the driver escaped, but the train clipped the front of the car.
“The train driver must have seen the car, and I imagine he would have been on the brakes.”
He said the vehicle’s front bumper looked damaged, but the passenger side looked “untouched”.
A KiwiRail spokesperson said a vehicle collided with a southbound freight train on the East Coast Main Trunk line at Pongakawa around midday.
“The Pongakawa School Rd level crossing has barrier arms, lights and bells.
“In line with our standard practice after these incidents, our driver is being supported.”
A Hato Hone St John spokesman said staff were at the scene.
He said one person was being taken to Tauranga Hospital in a moderate condition.
A Pongakawa business owner said it appeared the vehicle had become stuck on the train track when barriers on either side lowered.
He said the driver escaped, but the train “clipped” the front of the car.
“The train driver must have seen the car, and I imagine he would have been on the brakes.”
He said the vehicle’s front bumper looked damaged, but the passenger side looked “untouched”.
KiwiRail has been approached for comment.
More to come…