A train colliding with wandering cattle near Masterton caused commuter chaos for Wairarapa workers heading to Wellington yesterday.
A north-bound freight train slammed into three cows at 4.45am, 500m south of the crossing at Norman Avenue, Waingawa.
Tranz Metro spokeswoman Cathie Bell said the 5.25am, 6.21am and 6.48am trains from Masterton were
cancelled and replaced by buses. "It's very disruptive for our passengers and probably not very pleasant for the animals either," Ms Bell said.
The tracks were cleared by 9am and the 10.25am train to Wellington was able to leave Masterton on time. Ms Bell said three months ago there was a similar incident 20km south of yesterday's accident site, with cows hit by a train after straying onto the tracks.
"It's something we're concerned about," she said.
Senior Sergeant Warwick Burr, of Masterton police, said two cows were killed instantly, while the third had to be put down at the scene. He said charges were unlikely as the matter would probably be dealt with by the district council. Carterton District Council animal control officer Robert Millar said he would be speaking with the farmer to see whether they would take further action.
"The cattle have obviously pushed through the fence but they would probably have to prove negligence on the farmer's part," he said. If the council were satisfied with the farmer's actions the issue would be left to be settled by KiwiRail and the farmer.
In June 2007 up to 30 cows were killed or destroyed when a south-bound passenger train collided with a wandering herd 10km south of Masterton.
Read earlier story - Train derails after hitting cattle
