Truck rolls, train hits ute as three injured in Tararua crashes

A ute was hit by a train on a rail line near Dannevirke on Monday morning. Photo / Leanne Warr

Three people were injured in two crashes in Tararua District on Monday morning, one on a main highway and two on the main rail line.

A driver was critically injured after their truck rolled on State Highway 3 near Woodville, at the bottom of the Saddle Rd.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed they had transported one person to Palmerston North Hospital in critical condition.

Police received a call around 6.35am on Monday to the incident between Oxford and Morgan Rd.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand responders worked to free the trapped driver from the vehicle. Diversions were put in place over the Pāhiatua Track. The road re-opened about 2pm.

Police were also called to a crash between a ute and a train on Kakahukura Rd near Dannevirke about 9am.

Photos from the scene showed the train still on the tracks but stopped several hundred metres from the intersection with the road. Emergency services remained on the scene at 11am.

A St John spokesperson said two people were transported to Palmerston North Hospital, one in a serious condition and one in a moderate condition.

Police said they did not believe any road closures or traffic diversions were in place as a result of the incident.