The Glenbrook Vintage Railway says it is "cooperating fully" with police and relevant agencies following a person's death at Te Awamutu station on Sunday evening.
A Glenbrook Vintage Railway steam train with hundreds aboard reportedly "struck a person" at about 6.20pm at Te Awamutu station. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission confirmed it was now investigating the death.
Senior Sergeant John McCarthy said yesterday "this is a tragic incident, and we are providing support to whānau and those who acted immediately to try to help".
In a post online, Glenbrook Vintage Railway Charitable Trust board chairperson Glenn Deed said the group was "shocked and devastated" by the death.
"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the whānau and friends of the person who died," he said.
Deed said following a blessing and with assistance from KiwiRail, the empty train was returned to Auckland this morning.
"We are cooperating fully with police and the relevant agencies as they investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident. While those investigations are under way, we are unable to comment further."
He said support was being provided to staff and volunteers present at the time, and remain in contact with our passengers who were onboard the train.
"We are encouraging any of our passengers or local community members who were present at Te Awamutu railway station to reach out to Victim Support on 0800 842 846 if they need it."
"We are deeply grateful to the emergency services that responded, to our people who cared for our passengers while alternative transport was arranged, and to our passengers for their patience and support in extremely difficult circumstances."
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, as the regulator for rail safety, was notified about the incident on Sunday evening.
"Police is investigating, and NZTA is gathering information about the incident to determine if a separate investigation will be undertaken by NZTA as the rail safety regulator," an NZTA spokesperson said.
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