Canterbury Police and the Fire Service have cleared the scene of a fatal incident where a freight train has hit a person who was on the railway line. They have been confirmed as deceased at the scene. The driver is being supported by his employer and has been given some time off and offered counselling.
The incident occurred at around 3am this morning (12 May 2015) near Ashley village in the Waimakariri area of Canterbury.
No details of the deceased will be released until formal identification has taken place and next of kin have been fully informed.
Canterbury Police are not treating the circumstances surrounding the incident as suspicious and the matter has been referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404