A man who died after his car struck a train yesterday in Napier, drove at speed directly into the last carriage of the train, say police.
The 26-year-old Napier man died at the scene after his car collided with a train on a level crossing on Prebensen Drive, Pandora in Napier at 11.30am.
Prebensen Drive is a key a key arterial road, leading to a container park.
Napier police said a shunter engine, pulling six carriages was travelling across a rail crossing at about 10kmh.
Vehicles were backed up for more than 100m in each direction, when the man pulled out onto the opposite side of the road to pass the traffic, and drove at speed directly into the last carriage of the train, police said.
He was the sole occupant of the Toyota Corolla vehicle.
The deceased man's name would be released when all immediate family were told.
Police were still investigating and the death had been referred to the coroner.
A KiwiRail spokeswoman said the crossing was protected by give way signs, and KiwiRail staff onsite used stop/go signs to control traffic while the train went through.
