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RNZ News
10 hours ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Freezing start around the country causes crashes, halts trains in Wellington
Icy roads in Dunedin's hill suburbs on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton Icy conditions have caused multiple crashes and suspended some trains in the capital on Friday morning. Parts of the country are waking up to freezing temperatures this morning as a cold snap strikes. At the start of the day it was minus three degrees in Christchurch and Masterton, minus two in Tīmaru, Hamilton and Rotorua, and minus one in Taupō, Napier, Blenheim and Queenstown. There were "significant disruptions" on the capital's train services, Metlink said. Icy conditions meant the trains could not draw power from the lines, a spokesperson said. Kāpiti line services were suspended, and there were disruptions and delays on the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa lines. "Metlink is providing bus replacements where possible and service alerts have been sent alerting passengers of the situation and the lack of capacity on buses," it said. "Once the day warms, it's likely normal services will resume." The police are urging Bay of Plenty drivers to extra care on the roads in the region. A person has been critically injured following a serious crash in Atiamuri, partially closing State Highway 30. "There have been a number of crashes across the region already this morning with ice creating dangerous driving conditions," police said. "Please - slow down, watch your following distance, and use your headlights." ☀️Clear skies and freeeeezzzing temperatures continue across the country, but cloud looms to the west. This Infrared Satellite ️ image shows most of the country is still in the clear this morning, however, thin wispy high cloud is sitting over parts of Northland, as well… Driving conditions are expected to be hazardous in many parts of the South Island over the next few days. Police say black ice has already formed in some areas and road surfaces are especially dangerous in shaded areas and on bridges. While it was -1deg Celsius in Invercargill on Friday morning, Rakiura Stewart Island - less than 30km across Foveaux Strait - clocked double digits. MetService meterologist Devlin Lynden said the stark difference in temperatures between the two centres is a phenomenon called low level inversion - when it's unexpectedly warmer at higher elevations. He said that was because cool air was heavier and sank at night, pooling in low lying areas like Invercargill. That doesn't happen on Rakiura because it's more exposed. A band of cloud is also acting as insulation on the island - and it's windier, mixing air from different altitudes. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Wellington train line resumes after car crashes onto tracks, hit by train
The scene of the crash in Glenside. Photo: Supplied Wellington's Kapiti line is back up and running after a car crashed into train tracks in the suburb of Glenside on Wednesday. Emergency services were called to the scene after the vehicle left Middleton Road at 1.05pm, landing on the rail lines. The sole occupant was helped out of the car by members of the public before a train collided with the vehicle. The driver suffered minor injuries, police said. Police had closed Middleton Road but it has since reopened and trains services are also running due to the tracks being cleared. Metlink is advising passengers to expect delays. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Wellington train line suspended after car crashes onto tracks, hit by train
The scene of the crash in Glenside. Photo: Supplied A car has crashed onto a rail line and been hit by a train in the Wellington suburb of Glenside this afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene after the vehicle left Middleton Road at 1:05pm, landing on the rail lines. The driver was helped out of the car by members of the public before a train hit the vehicle. The driver - who was the only occupant of the vehicle - suffered minor injuries, police said. Train services on the Kapiti line have been suspended after the crash. Metlink said buses were being arranged, but public transport users should seek alternative arrangements where possible. The road is also closed while emergency services are at the scene. Police have asked motorists to take an alternative route and expect delays. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Wellington train line given all clear after reports of car hitting bridge
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Trains are running again on Wellington's Kāpiti line after a halt due to reports of a car hitting a rail bridge. The report of the collision came from a member of the public at 7.25am on Tuesday. The bridge runs over the top of State Highway 1 in Ngauranga Gorge in Wellington. Metlink said KiwiRail had to inspect the bridge before services could run again. The bridge was given the all clear, Metlink warned delays were possible staff and trains got back to where they were needed on the line. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Car reportedly hits rail bridge, Wellington commuter line suspended
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Train services on the Wellington region's Kāpiti line between Porirua and the capital have been suspended due to reports of a car hitting a rail bridge. The report of the collision came from a member of the public at 7.25am on Tuesday. The bridge runs over the top of State Highway 1 in Ngauranga Gorge in Wellington. Metlink said KiwiRail needed to inspect the bridge before services could run again. Attempts were being made to source buses for passengers but availability was limited. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
