A passenger train was held up for an hour last night when a drunk driver got his vehicle stuck on rail tracks.
The incident happened at Tokomaru, 21km southwest of Palmerston North, when police were alerted about 7pm to a driver who had got himself lost.
"The driver had driven on to the railway lines and ended up straddling the lines and was unable to drive back off," said Sergeanr Doug Seal, of Palmerston North police.
"His vehicle ended up having to be dragged off the lines which caused two of the pins that secure the lines to the sleepers being knocked out."
OnTrack staff were called to the scene to replace the pins and ensure the lines were safe to use again.
A passenger train with about 400 people on board was held at Shannon railway station, further south, for an hour while the vehicle was removed and the track repaired.
Mr Seal said the driver of the vehicle, a 41-year-old man, was was taken to Palmerston North police station for an evidential breath test.
"He will be appearing at a later date in Palmerston North District Court on a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol."
