27 Feb 2009

Elderly motorist dies after collision with train

6:36 am on 27 February 2009

An elderly man has died after his car collided with a train at a level crossing in Blenheim.

KiwiRail's Tranzcoastal passenger train hit the car at the Kinross Street level crossing about 1.40pm on Thursday.

Police in Blenheim say people nearby rushed to help the 78-year-old driver of the car, who died shortly after the impact.

The train was carrying 163 passengers but no one was injured.

A spokesperson for KiwiRail says he understands the lights and warning bells were working at the time of the collision.

Road and rail services were suspended during the afternoon, but have since resumed.