Farmer counts loss after train hits 65 cows

A train skittled and killed 65 cows in Tokomaru, southwest of Palmerston North, leaving a farmer with losses of more than $100,000.

The cows were worth an average of $1000 each and were not insured, leaving a $65,000 hole in the pocket of farmer John Hopkins. He said that figure would double when lost milk production was included.

It was the worst loss he had had in his 45 years of dairy farming.

His herd of 300 dairy cows was in a paddock behind the railway line when they pushed through a garden gate about 5.30pm on Tuesday and broke into a driveway and then on to the tracks.

Mr Hopkins' farm runs alongside the railway line, which acts as one boundary.

The cows were standing on the railway crossing when the train driver spotted them.

Farm manager Arthur Streeter said it appeared the driver hit his brakes and used the horn.

Some of the cows took off either side of the crossing, but the rest ran down the track.

Mr Streeter said the first cow was hit about a kilometre away. "I didn't see the real disaster until I got down further and I started to realise the train had collected quite a few animals."

- NZPA