Man dies after being hit by train in Western Bay of Plenty

Scene of the incident this morning. Photo / George Novak

A man has died after being hit by a train in the Western Bay of Plenty.

A police spokeswoman said the man was hit by the train overnight, along the Te Puke Highway, Paengaroa.

The train track was closed for a time and police were managing traffic on the highway.

The scene was cleared around 10.15am, the spokeswoman said

Police were making inquiries into the circumstances of the incident.

KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle said the fatal incident, and incidents like this, are "tragic" for the victim and their family and traumatic for everyone involved.

"Our thoughts are with them," he said.

Staff involved will be offered support from KiwiRail, including counselling, in line with the company's standard practice.

He said the line was shut from around 3.30am to 10am which affected two return forestry services. Subsequent services will clear any backlog.