Photo: SuppliedTwo people are critically injured after the car they were in collided with a freight train near New Plymouth on Wednesday. Emergency services responded to the crash off Mountain Road, State Highway 3A in Lepperton around 8.40am. A spokesperson for Hato Hone St John said a helicopter, two ambulances, and one operations manager attended. Kiwirail chief operations officer Duncan Roy said the accident happened on the Marton-New Plymouth Line at a private level-crossing. He said the train was heading north to New Plymouth and the crossing is controlled by stop signs.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 25, 2026 10:53 UTC