Fingerprints are being taken of a man who was killed when he was hit by a train in South Auckland, as police try to identify him.
The man, thought to be in his thirties, was walking along the side of the track between the Middlemore and Papatoetoe stations at about 10.40am on Sunday when he was hit by a southbound train carrying six passengers.
The man is thought to have been killed instantly, but his body was trapped for more than two hours.
Senior Sergeant Spencer Matthews says he was not carrying identification.
Fingerprints are being taken to see whether the man was known to police, who are also considering releasing a photo to help identify him.
The man is described as Polynesian with curly black receding hair and an unshaven face. He was wearing a dark blue polo shirt, dark trousers and jandals. The public is asked to report any missing people matching the man's description.
Senior Sergeant Matthews says the incident was horrific for staff who attended the scene. He says 10 police officers were initially called and ambulance officers, fire crew and Ontrack personnel were also needed to help free the man's body.
The train driver has received trauma counselling.
The death will be referred to the coroner when the man's identity has been confirmed.
