Mt Albert train death: Person dies after being struck at rail crossing
A person has died after being struck by a train in Auckland’s Mt Albert on Wednesday afternoon, police have confirmed.
They were notified at 3.28pm after a train struck a pedestrian at a rail crossing near Baldwin Ave station.
“Sadly, I can confirm the male has died at the scene,” Auckland shift commander Inspector Kerry Watson said in an update late last night.
“We have been working to notify his next of kin, and the community will appreciate that this will be devastating news for them.”
AT has warned passengers to check for cancellations on the Western Line; however most trains are now running as normal, a spokesman told the Herald this morning.
Hato Hone St John told the Herald yesterday it responded with an ambulance and rapid response unit.
A cordon was in place but was lifted at 9.30pm.
Watson said police had spoken with multiple high school students on the platform at the time.
“Anyone who may have witnessed what happened, and who hasn’t spoken to police, are asked to make contact,” Watson said.
The Herald understands the person was a student. Police have not officially confirmed that a student was involved.
A tarpaulin was attached to the side of the train, which was stopped on the line.
Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) students were in the surrounding area, while headmaster Patrick Drumm was behind the police cordon.
Outside the train station, MAGS staff members were chaperoning students home.
MAGS has been approached for comment.
Poppy Curnow Booker, who was on board during the incident, told Stuff the train slammed on the brakes and derailed when the driver saw a student.
She said a student had been struck.
Another passenger on the train told the Herald they felt a double jolt after leaving the station and suddenly the train stopped.
Passengers said police told them only that there had been an incident.
A police officer at the cordon told RNZ a young boy had been struck by the train.
‘Sporadic’ cancellations on Western Line
Auckland Transport was warning passengers last night to check for disruptions on the Western Line this morning as some cancellations and reduced train capacity were expected.
However despite “sporadic cancellations” this morning as the network caught up on yesterday’s disruption, most trains were now running as normal, an AT spokesman said.
As of 7am AT’s Journey Planner app said the line had good service.
Rail replacement buses were supporting passengers between Waitematā and Swanson yesterday afternoon, AT said. Shortly before 6pm it announced some train services were resuming between Waitematā (Britomart) and Morningside, and between Avondale and Swanson. It warned the services would be intermittent.
AT encouraged passengers to check its journey planner or mobile app for the latest information before travelling home.
Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa Ward councillor Julie Fairey advised localson Facebook to stay away from the scene.
“There has been a transport incident, and more people coming into the area is unhelpful at the moment – the police and security are there, and traffic management is coming for Rossgrove Tce,” Fairey wrote.
She said the station and the level crossing would be closed for hours to come.
“Thinking of all of those involved.”
Mt Albert MP Helen White said she was “so saddened to see the death of a young person” in her community.
“I just want to share my condolences with his whānau. I appreciate the nightmare this will be for them,” she wrote on Facebook.
Albert-Eden local board member Kendyl Smith sent her thoughts to the “family and friends of the young person involved in the tragic incident at Baldwin Ave Station today”.
“This will be an incredibly difficult time for them,” Smith wrote on Facebook.
“My heart also goes out to the MAGS students and staff, and the wider MAGS community who may have been affected or witnessed what happened.
“Thinking too of the train driver, passengers and first responders who were involved and may be deeply affected by what they experienced.
“I hope the community can come together to support one another through this difficult time.”
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