The car that crashed into a train at Hodders Rd crossing in Carterton on Tuesday. PHOTO/EMMA BROWN
EMMA BROWN and KAREN COLTMAN
A woman in her early 20s walked away without serious injury after her car collided with a train in Carterton on Tuesday morning and was spun around 180 degrees.
Constable Dan Lenihan said the woman was driving south down Hodders Rd towards Carterton when she collided with the Masterton-bound train at about 9.40am.
The front of the car was hit, spinning it off the tracks.
The train came to a stop about 100 metres past the crossing.
Wellington Free Ambulance communications adviser Sarah Coulthard said the woman suffered moderate injuries but did not require hospitalisation.
Lenihan said the train driver was “shaken up but was fine.”
KiwiRail Capital Projects chief operating officer David Gordon said: “The driver was uninjured, however collisions like this are upsetting for our staff, and in line with our standard practice the driver has been relieved of their duties and will be supported by KiwiRail.”
The 41 passengers on board the train continued their journey to Masterton by bus.
The line reopened at 11am after investigations were completed, Gordon said.
Passenger Elan Frank said he was unaware of the collision until the train stopped.
“It was pretty crazy when I saw the car smashed up,” Frank said. “I’m so glad the hit wasn’t serious.
“Everyone seemed fine.”
Incident controllers from KiwiRail were quickly at the scene.
“KiwiRail is investigating all aspects of the incident, including the actions leading up to and following the collision,” Gordon said.
A Metlink spokesperson said the 10.30am service from Masterton to Wellington and 12.45pm service from Wellington to Masterton were replaced by buses.
There were no further disruptions.
Hodders Rd level crossing is controlled by stop signs, rather than barrier arms and bells.
“It’s a hard crossing to negotiate,” Lenihan said.
In the past five years, there have been three other collisions at level crossings in Wairarapa.
