Woman and baby found dead at station
A woman and a baby are among three people found dead in two incidents in Hamilton yesterday morning.
Police confirmed a woman and infant were found dead at the Hamilton railway station, and the area has been cordoned off.
Kiwirail confirmed a member of the public was struck by a freight service train at Frankton just after 8am yesterday morning.
Emergency services were called to Frankton train station about 8.10am yesterday, a police statement said.
‘‘Police are conducting a routine scene examination and offering support to those at the scene.
‘‘The death is expected to be referred to the coroner.’’
More than a dozen police officers were at the scene yesterday morning.
Evidence markers and a white tent were visible at the scene.
St John said it sent six vehicles, and an ambulance was still on scene.
Kiwirail acting group chief executive David Gordon said these types of events were deeply traumatic for those involved.
The locomotive engineer has been put on leave and will be offered counselling.
The line remains closed, and there will be disruptions to freight services between Hamilton and Tauranga.
Meanwhile, a male was found dead on the Hamilton river path in Whitiora just before 6am in a separate incident.
Police made inquiries and a spokeswoman said the death was not suspicious. It was not linked to the Frankton deaths.
‘‘The death is expected to be referred to the coroner.’’
St John responded to the incident at 5.54am, and sent one ambulance and a rapid response vehicle.
A police spokeswoman said staff took part in a ‘‘debrief’’ after the Frankton incident, which was common after significant incidents.
‘‘Police recognise that our staff do what could be seen as an abnormal job, normally, every day, and the welfare of our people is of utmost importance.’’