Two people have died in car and train crash at crossing near Woodville, east of Palmerston North

Wednesday, 1 August 2018

Two people have died after a car carrying three people crashed with a train near Woodville, east of Palmerston North.

Emergency services are at the scene near Troup Rd.

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A third person is in a moderate condition and is being transported to Palmerston North Hospital.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.

Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman Mike Wanoa said firefighters were called to the crash at 4.50pm.

The goods train involved in the crash came to rest about 100 metres along from the Troup Rd crossing, which is controlled by a stop sign.

Emergency service personnel are working near the front of the locomotive. 

Gavin Bruere and Betty Clapperton have lived on Troup Rd for about 10 years.

They arrived home on Wednesday after the crash to see a police car parked at the level crossing.

They could not remember a previous crash at the crossing, on the narrow, straight country roadway, but were aware of one on Franklin Rd nearby.

Bruere and Clapperton said motorists would regularly speed down the road and ignore the compulsory stop sign.

'We always tell people: 'Stop at the railway and watch at the corner',' Clapperton said.

Bruere said a group of trees sometimes obscured trains as they approached the road.

The train involved in Wednesday's crash appears quite short – with only a few wagons behind the locomotive.

The twisted and crushed wreckage of a vehicle is visible under the front of the train.

A statement from KiwiRail said the freight train was travelling from Napier to Palmerston North at the time.

'Sadly, it has been reported there are two fatalities, and our thoughts are with their families and loved ones.'