The train was carrying 103 passengers, and stayed in the tunnel for roughly an hour.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is looking into how a train carrying more than a hundred passengers got stuck in a South Island tunnel, but KiwiRail says the safety of those on board was not at risk.
The Christchurch to Greymouth TranzAlpine service, Train 803, experienced a mechanical problem just before 10am on Saturday. It was travelling in a tunnel about 10km North of Springfield, between Staircase and Cragieburn, when it stopped.
The train carrying 103 passengers stayed in the tunnel for roughly an hour. No one was injured.
Passenger safety was not at risk, KiwiRail said. The train stopped in a safe location, before a relief train pulled it back to Christchurch.
But Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) chief accidents investigator Louise Cook said the commission wanted to hear from all passengers onboard as soon as possible.
“It’s crucial in every investigation to capture any evidence that could change with time – and that includes the recollections of the passengers on board,” she said.
Investigators will also be interviewing the trains crew and those involved in its recovery.
‘I didn’t even realise it was an emergency’
However, one woman aboard the disrupted TranzAlpine service said the train calmly came to a stop inside the tunnel and she was surprised an investigation was being deemed necessary.
Auckland’s Lisa Brien Herd was one of the passengers travelling south with her family and said the situation was well handled by the crew.
“We understand like things like that happen, it happens if you’re driving a car down the road and you have a minor break down or something like that a ferry or anything.
“There was no sense of panic, I didn’t even realise it was an emergency… so I was quite surprised that there was going to be an investigation at all.”
She said passengers caught up in the disruption were relaxed.
KiwiRail said the train was pulled back to Christchurch before buses were organised for passengers.
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