Officials at the site of the car and train crash in Hamilton. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
The names of the three victims of Wednesday's fatal train and car collision in Hamilton have been released by police.
A freight train that was travelling from Mt Maunganui to Hamilton collided with a car at a railway crossing on Peachgrove Road at about 4.30am.
All three of the victims were in the car, and their names were:
- William Brown, aged 46, of Huntly.
- Shylin Huirama-Osborne, aged 26, of Hamilton.
- Sione Nusipepa, aged 23, of Huntly.
Two other people who were in the car remain in Waikato Hospital, police said.
The train driver was uninjured, but is now on leave.
The full circumstances around the crash were still under investigation, police said.
Police said they wanted to speak to any members of the public who assisted, in particular the occupants of a vehicle that was stopped at the crossing barrier arm when officers arrived on the scene.
KiwiRail confirmed it does not have video footage from the fatal train and car collision.
There is no CCTV at level crossings, or on board KiwiRail freight trains Upper North Island Regional Infrastructure Manager, Jake Barbarich said.
However, the company confirmed its new fleet of trains will have CCTV capability to record what is occurring in front of the train.
A memorial page on social media for Shylin Huirama-Osborne said he was a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, cousin, nephew, and moko.
"Our love, support, and kindness during this difficult time have not gone unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful. We also extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of Shylin's friends who have also recently passed. We want to share our love on their own journeys of grief, allowing them the space to come to terms with their loss. we will share more info when we know more details . Moe mai rā i te aroha mutunga kore - rest eternally," continued the online memorial page.
An online fundraising page has also been set up to gain "financial support to help us with his final day."
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