Investigation launched after remote-controlled shunt locomotive and railway wagon falls into water

The Interislander has been suspended following an incident at Picton harbour this afternoon. Photo / File

KiwiRail has launched an investigation after a remote-controlled shunt locomotive and railway wagon fell into the Picton harbour.

A KiwiRail spokesperson said a remote-controlled shunt locomotive, used in marshalling yards, and a wagon with two tank container fell into the harbour in Waitohi Picton this afternoon.

Both containers, which carried chemicals, were empty. One had held sodium hydroxide, a compound used in cleaning.

The contents of the second container are still unknown.

No one was injured in the incident and the harbourmaster closed the port.

"KiwiRail has begun an investigation," a spokesperson said.

"We are naturally shocked by this event and have begun an immediate investigation into what happened," KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle said.

"For some reason, the shunt locomotive, pushing the wagon, has travelled across the marshalling yards to a linkspan – a ramp that connects the land to a ship – and fallen in to the water."

KiwiRail confirmed a linkspan (a ramp between the land and a vessel) was damaged.

"KiwiRail is working with other agencies on safely managing the situation, and recovery of the wagon and locomotive."

Police were notified at 3.30pm that a "train had gone into the sea", however Police were not required at the scene.

Police have since been advised by KiwiRail that it was a "remote-controlled shunter train" with nobody on board.

KiwiRail inspected the water tonight and found that the diesel tank, and the tank containers remain sealed and intact.

The port has partially reopened. Interislander services are due to resume tonight.