A ute and a train collided in Takanini this morning.
Passengers on a train involved in a crash at Takanini today have been offloaded, but traffic chaos continues.
Taka St has since reopened, police said, but they advise delays will continue as a level-crossing barrier arm is repaired.
A police spokesperson said a train and a ute collidedabout 7.45am today.Theute driver suffered moderate injuries.
Motorist Patrick Whiteman said the ute was a few vehicles ahead of him and he watched it try to weave through the barrier arms before getting hit by the train.
Auckland Transport spokesman James Ireland said the train had since continued up to Takanini Station and unloaded passengers.
Due to an incident Taka St (Takanini) is closed btwn Grt Sth Rd & Takanini School Rd. Takanini Rd is also closed. Please avoid the area ^LC pic.twitter.com/ywp1IdY1HB
watched the blue ute weave between the lowered barrier arms.It didn't make it through in time andthe train hit the rear of the ute. Whiteman said the driver may not have been able to see because of the sun but he would have known the barriers were down. The man was seen on the ground getting help from St John Ambulance staff.
Train passenger Maxine Clayton said "hundreds" of passengers have been affected, including children.
She said the train was approaching the Takanini train station when it suddenly slowed and the driver blasted his horn.
"We came to a sudden stop and looked out to our left to see a blue ute stopped at a strange angle by crossing. Members of the public gathered around a man on the ground and called emergency services."
She said an elderly man with a head injury climbed into the back of an ambulance.
