A freight train and a car have collided at a private level crossing north of Wellington this afternoon and one person is in a critical condition.
Police say the person was the sole occupant of the car and has been taken to hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Police were called to the scene seven kilometres south of Otaki, just off state highway one where a private driveway crossed the rail line.
A police spokesperson says the accident happened just before 2pm and the state highway was closed to allow the helicopter to land.
It could not be confirmed if the freight train had derailed but it remains stopped on the tracks at the scene.
3 News