Man hit by train while trying to rush across tracks

A man is dead after being hit by a train as he was trying to rush across the tracks.

Police say the death, where Maurice Rd crosses Station Rd in Penrose, is believed to be accidental.

It happened about 3.45pm and the man died at the scene, which is just across the road from Mt Smart Stadium where the Warriors kicked off at 4pm.

Witness Greg Curry-Black said it looked like the man was trying to beat the train across the tracks.

"The barriers were down, the lights were going and the train was honking but he was too slow."

Curry-Black said upset friends and family had gathered at the scene and the body had been covered by a sheet.

A police spokeswoman said the death was believed to be accidental and officers were making inquiries.

At 6pm Auckland Transport said train services had returned to normal after buses were used as replacement services while police worked at the scene.

The death comes just weeks after national Rail Safety Week aimed to remind people to stay alert at level crossings and near train tracks.

Between 2010 and 2015 there were 900 collisions or near-collisions with people and vehicles at level crossings.