An Auckland Council worker has escaped serious injury after his car was struck by a freight train in West Auckland this morning. Auckland Council people and capability director Christine Etherington said the council was working with emergency services to find out what happened, and were supporting the staff member involved. The car, part of the council's fleet, was hit by the train at the rail crossing at Matua Rd and State Highway 16 just before 11am. The car was seriously damaged, but police said the driver received only minor injuries and was taken to North Shore Hospital. A KiwiRail spokeswoman said the track had been cleared but the service between Helensville and Whangarei was cancelled.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 15, 2016 02:22 UTC