A 48-year-old woman is dead after the ute she was in was hit by a train at a level crossing in Stratford, near New Plymouth.
The woman, who died at the scene of the collision at the Flint Road crossing at 9.15am on Wednesday, was Antoinette Hess of Kaponga.
The crash seriously injured the two other people, believed to be the woman's 63-year-old brother and eight-year-old daughter.
Police say it appears the ute was driven into the path of the train, and was overturned before coming to rest in a drain up to 20 metres away.
They say the vehicle was so badly damaged they can not yet be sure who was driving it.
Kiwirail says the train driver is extremely shaken.
The crossing, which has no barrier arms, is prioritised to have flashing lights and bells installed by the end of 2012.
