Tourist seen lying on train tracks before death

Photo / Thinkstock

A German man killed by a train in Christchurch was seen lying down on the tracks before his death, police say.

Erik Ruben Maurer, 20, died after being struck by a train near Ensors Road at 12:30am on Sunday.

He had been in New Zealand on a work visa since October 2011.

Police said it was believed Mr Maurer was returning to his central city accommodation after attending a party in Waltham.

There were reports he was lying on the train tracks before he died, police said.

The death had been passed on to the Coroner.

- Herald Online