“As part of these, we would ask anyone who saw what happened this afternoon to please get in touch with police if you have not already done so.”
WorkSafe has also been advised of the incident.
Investigations are underway after a young girl was struck and killed by a train near a school in Matamata this afternoon. Photo / Maryana Garcia
Meanwhile, local school Firth Primary took to social media this evening saying a number of its students may have witnessed the incident and could possibly know the student.
“We are working to have support in place for family, students, staff and the wider community. Please reach out if your child needs support,” the post read.
It said the school’s thoughts were with the family of the Matamata College student.
Motorists and residents in the area were earlier asked to avoid the intersection while emergency services worked at the scene.
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an incident on Firth St, Matamata at 3.17pm, sending an ambulance, two helicopters, one rapid response vehicle and an operations manager attended.
A person has been left critically injured after being hit by a train near Matamata College. Photo / Google Maps
They referred all other inquiries to police.
A reporter at the scene said a freight train is stopped on the tracks, while barrier arms are down and lights flashing at the Farmers Rd railway crossing.
KiwiRail’s executive general manager of operations, Paul Ashton, said a northbound freight train was involved in a collision with a person on the Kinleith Branch Line in Matamata at about 3.15pm.
