A local board member says a death at an Auckland railway crossing was an accident waiting to happen for a decade.
A man aged in his 60s was killed after being hit by a train at Morningside station at about 6.40 pm yesterday.
Graeme Easte said the man was hit by the second of two trains which came in quick succession at the level crossing.
He said there had been other incidents at the incredibly busy crossing, and the only way to really make it safer is to install something like an overbridge.
"For ten years people have been talking about doing something about it, and for ten years we've done nothing."
About 140 people were on the train when it hit the man.
Mr Easte said there was potentially money available in the Auckland Council's draft plan, but it was a low priority.
A woman was critically injured at Morningside two years ago when her wheelchair got stuck because of poor maintenance at the crossing.
KiwiRail said the crossing now has every safety measure available, including flashing lights and barrier arms.
Ministry of Transport statistics
Train versus pedestrian collisions at the Morningside level crossing in the last 10 years:
3 pedestrians hit:
- 2002: 1 fatality
- 2013: 1 injury
- Thus far in 2015: 1 fatality on 29 January.
