Police at the scene following the incident. Photo: NZ Herald
She was Jorja-Ray Smith, 11, of Mount Maunganui.
She died after being struck by a freight train while biking home from Mount Maunganui Intermediate School.
The incident happened at the Hewletts Rd rail crossing about 2.55pm.
Police have referred Jorja-Ray’s death to the coroner.
KiwiRail is also investigating, as concerns about the rail crossing are raised.
Earlier this week, Mount Maunganui Intermediate School principal Melissa Nelson described Jorja-Ray as a “delightful, happy, engaged and valuable” member of the school’s family.
“As a school, we’re devastated to lose one of our own in such awful circumstances,” she said.
