Port of Tauranga body find believed to have fallen from bridge

Police at the scene of where a dead body was found on train in the Port of Tauranga. Photo/George Novak

The man found dead on top of a train at the Port of Tauranga has been identified as a local Bay of Plenty man.

The body of the 38-year-old from Whakamarama was found by staff unloading train carriages at the port about 6.40am today.

Police said in a statement this afternoon the man, who is yet to be named, appeared to have fallen from an overbridge in the Whakamarama area and landed on top of a train carriage.

His body was then carried on the train to the rail yards at the port, police said.

Support is being provided to port staff.

Police said they have been working to understand the circumstances surrounding the man's death, which has now been referred to the coroner.

This morning, a police communications spokeswoman confirmed the man's body was found on top of the train.

The death did not appear to be suspicious, she said.

Police at the scene at the Port of Tauranga, where a dead body was found today. Photo/George Novak

Port of Tauranga said in a statement this morning police were called after the body was found on a train arriving from Auckland.

The KiwiRail train was carrying containers from Port of Tauranga's inland port in Auckland, MetroPort, and the person was found when it arrived at the terminal at Sulphur Point, communications manager Rochelle Lockley said.

No other details were available at this stage, she said.

WorkSafe NZ has been advised.

Firefighters were also called to the scene.

Police leave the Port of Tauranga, where a body has been found on a train which arrived from Auckland. Photo/George Novak