Two women who were seriously injured when their car collided with a train are lucky to be alive, police say.
The car was hit by a freight train at a level crossing at Patumahoe, near Pukekohe, about 8:30pm on Tuesday.
Police say warning bells and lights at the crossing were working.
The women, aged 22 and 23, were taken by helicopter to Auckland City Hospital where they were a serious but stable condition on Wednesday.
Police say the pair are likely to be released from hospital in the next few days and are fortunate not to have received even more serious injuries. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
