Two people are in critical condition at Taranaki Base Hospital after their car collided with a northbound freight train at a rural Lepperton crossing this morning.
Emergency services rushed to the scene off Mountain Road, State Highway 3A, at around 8.40am. A car and a train collided at a private level crossing on the Marton-New Plymouth Line, trapping the vehicle's occupants.
Fire and Emergency confirmed that firefighters had to bring in rescue equipment to cut both people free from the wreck.
Hato Hone St John deployed a significant response to the rural crash site. A spokesperson said a rescue helicopter, two ambulances and an operations manager were sent to assist.
Both patients suffered critical injuries. One was flown by helicopter to Taranaki Base Hospital, while the other was transported by road ambulance.
KiwiRail chief operations officer Duncan Roy noted the train was heading north toward New Plymouth when the crash occurred. He confirmed the private crossing where the accident happened is controlled by stop signs. "In line with our standard practice our driver will be given leave, and all of our staff involved will be offered support from KiwiRail," Roy said.
Following the crash, traffic on State Highway 3A was reduced to a single lane. The Police Serious Crash Unit is now investigating the site to determine exactly how the collision unfolded.
