'Loud bang' damages windows on train going through Lower Hutt

Both carriage windows damaged in last night's incident near Taitā. (Photo: Richard Mayes/Supplied)

Metlink is working to determine what damaged two carriage windows on a train travelling through Lower Hutt last night.

The damage occurred on a Wairarapa Line service that left Wellington Station at 5.30pm on Wednesday, with the incident happening as the train passed through Taitā shortly before 6pm.

Commuter Richard Mayes told 1News he was sitting in the same carriage, with his back to the two windows, when he heard a "very loud bang".

"The outside layers of both windows were smashed like a car windshield."

He said the sudden noise and impact left him fearing the worst.

"I was sure something structural had broken off under the floor and some kind of wild derailment ride was about to begin at any second."

Despite the alarming moment, the train continued safely to the next station, where staff secured the damaged windows with duct-tape.

Mayes praised the crew's handling of the situation.

"The train crew were excellent and immediately made sure everyone was safe and that the train could proceed."

A Metlink spokesperson confirmed no passengers or staff were injured in the incident, but said the disruption had a knock-on effect for other commuters.

"The damaged carriage was taken out of service for repairs this morning, causing two subsequent services on the Wairarapa Line to be bus replaced.

"Metlink is trying to determine the cause of the damage."

It was not yet known whether the windows were struck by an object from outside the train, or whether another factor was responsible.

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