Police investigating fatal crash after train and quad bike collide

One person died after a quad bike collided with a train near Whakamarama last night. Photo/ Sandra Conchie

Police are investigating the cause of a crash which killed one person last night after a quad bike and a train collided in the Western Bay of Plenty.

The incident happened near the intersection of Turntable Hill Rd and Apata Station Rd in Whakamarama about 8:20pm.

KiwiRail confirmed a freight train was involved in the crash and was investigating the incident.

"The train driver has been stood down and will be offered counselling as is normal procedure," a Kiwirail spokesperson said.

Police said there were three people on the vehicle at the time of the crash.

One person died at the scene, another had minor injuries and was being treated at Tauranga Hospital and one was uninjured.

Omokoroa and Katikati fire brigades attended the scene.

A reporter at the scene said a freight train was stopped on the tracks at the intersection and on a grass embankment below was the crashed vehicle.

Multiple emergency services personnel including St John ambulance staff were at the scene.

Lighting was set up at the scene to help emergency service staff work.

A group of people gathered at the scene waiting to find out more.

No further information was available about the incident this morning.