Man critically injured in train incident

The man attempted to ride the train at Puhinui train station.

A man has been critically injured after either jumping or falling onto a moving train in Auckland this afternoon.

Inspector Tony Edwards said police were called to the Otahuhu train station just before 1.30pm after the man apparently tried to ride on a moving flat-deck train carriage at the Puhinui Road Station.

The man, who has yet to be identified, has received significant injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition.

He is of solid build, wearing blue denim shorts, a white T-shirt, white running shoes, a blue cap and is believed to be of Maori or Pacific Island descent.

A KiwiRail spokesperson said the train was travelling between Palmerston North and Westfield.

It was unclear whether the man had jumped or fallen onto the wagon of the freight train but an investigation is being conducted.

The line has reopened and services have resumed, KiwiRail said.

Although some train stations have security guards at peak travel times, Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said no guards are believed to have seen the incident at Puhinui.

Auckland Transport has handed over security footage to police, he said.

Police are asking for anyone who might know the man to call the Manukau Police Station on (09) 261 1300.