A man is in a critical condition after the car he was in was struck by a what is thought to be a freight train on the Kapiti Coast this afternoon.
The car was hit on State Highway 1 while it crossed onto a private road about 7km south of Otaki at 1.50am, police said.
An ambulance spokesman said the driver of the car was in a critical condition and was being treated at the scene.
A rescue helicopter had landed to assist.
No one aboard the train is thought to have been injured.
Police said SH1 was closed and diversions were in place and appeared to be working well at this stage.
The police serious crash unit is investigating.
A KiwiRail spokeswoman said the train was carrying freight from Wellington to Auckland.
There was a stop sign at the intersection of the railway and the private road, but not barriers or alarms.
"Barriers and alarms are at the more major crossings around the country," the spokeswoman said.
The train driver would be stood down and offered counselling.
KiwiRail would conduct its own investigation along with the police investigation.
