Canterbury train crashes into stolen car after fleeing police; teen driver tried to beat level crossing

Police are making inquiries this morning into an early morning collision between a stolen car and a multiple-wagon train passing through a crossing.

The Toyota Prius involved, driven by what the Herald understands were “a couple of teens” had been fleeing police before it was struck by the train on Lincoln Rd in Addington, Christchurch.

It’s understood a youth was driving through the level crossing when the car was struck, causing severe damage.

The train was left halted on the tracks until it was slowly driven away shortly before 8am, following which the car was winched onto the back of a truck.

According to police, the Prius was one of two vehicles that were spotted by officers on nearby Blenheim Rd at around 4am this morning.

The Toyota Prius is severely damaged. Photo / Nathan Morton

Both cars fled before police said they could signal the vehicles to stop, but a pursuit was not initiated.

A short time later, police said they were alerted to the crash on Lincoln Rd, where the train had smashed into the car on the tracks.

“Inquiries are continuing, but [...] the vehicle was being driven at the time it collided with the train,” a police spokesman told NZME this morning.

“Police are now speaking with a person of interest and inquiries are continuing to locate the second vehicle.”

At the scene of the accident this morning, the silver Prius was seen lying on the side of the tracks with its rear completely crumpled.

The Serious Crash Unit investigated and police closed Lincoln Rd’s entrance to Moorhouse Ave, causing heavier congestion than normal given the stretch of road is a popular route for morning commuters.

Debris scattered across the tracks and gravel included pieces of the car and what appeared to be child’s clothing.

Emergency services closed Lincoln Rd in response to the accident. Photo / Nathan Morton

As rain bucketed down, an officer told staff at 7.45am that they intend to move the train.

After the train had been slowly driven away from the scene, police and roading staff coordinated the winching of the vehicle onto the back of a trailer and the scene was cleared.

Within 20 minutes of the car being moved, a passenger train passed through the tracks and the crossings were working as per normal.

A nearby store owner had spoken to police shortly after the accident. He told the Herald the car involved had driven under the barriers which, at the time, were down signalling a train was coming.

“It was a couple of teens,” he said.

The scene this morning. Photo / Nathan Morton

KiwiRail said in a statement the collision occurred at approximately 3.30am, and the shunt service - which is a smaller locomotive - was en route to Middleton before its journey was disrupted.

It had been carrying cargo from Lyttelton at the time.

“Our driver is uninjured and is receiving support, which is standard in any collision,” a KiwiRail spokesperson said.

“The level crossing has barrier arms...the collision also damaged the train signals at the crossing.”

People were asked to avoid the area as news of the accident was reported.