The incident occurred between Box Hill and Khandallah stations at approximately 7:20pm on Saturday.
Two passengers sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries, while the driver and another staff member suffered minor injuries.
The chief investigator from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) described the train crash in Khandallah as a “serious incident” and stated it is too early in the investigation to ascertain the cause. TAIC is the authority responsible for investigating rail accidents.
“We will examine all aspects of the investigation, including the people involved, the system in place, and we will collect data from the train to analyze and determine the cause of this accident to prevent future occurrences,” the chief investigator said.
Louise Cook confirmed that several individuals required medical attention and the train experienced significant damage.
Cook mentioned that it is premature to determine the cause of the crash and she could not provide a timeline for the investigation.
However, she anticipated that investigators would be working on-site for the coming days to secure and gather evidence, which remains the priority.
TAIC held a media conference on Sunday at around 2pm. Earlier, it announced that it would disclose what is known about the Khandallah train crash and outline the subsequent steps.
Greater Wellington Chairman Daran Ponter stated that once the investigations conclude, the train will be moved back to the station and removed from the tracks using a crane.
The passenger train on Wellington’s Johnsonville Line derailed with nine people on board. Six people were injured, including two with serious injuries.
Investigators have been present at the scene, and TAIC has issued an appeal for witnesses.
Metlink, the operator of the rail services and network, reported that the cause of the incident remains unknown. The train was diverted onto a runoff route where it collided with a concrete stop block, causing the wheels to derail.
The TAIC media briefing was conducted at Khandallah Station.
Buses will temporarily replace trains on the Johnsonville Line for the upcoming days.
