A young boy has died after being hit by a train at Baldwin Avenue Station in Mount Albert, Auckland, in an incident that has left the local community and school community in shock.

Police said they were called to the scene at 3.28pm on Wednesday, 9 September, after reports of a pedestrian being struck at a rail crossing near the station.

What Happened

Auckland Shift Commander Inspector Kerry Watson confirmed that the victim, a young boy, died at the scene.

"We have been working to notify his next of kin, and the community will appreciate that this will be devastating news for them," Watson said.

An officer stationed at the police cordon told RNZ that family members were seen crying at the scene, underlining the depth of grief felt by those closest to the victim.

Students Were on the Platform

According to police, a number of high school students were present on the platform at the time of the incident. Officers have since spoken with several of them as part of the initial inquiry.

The New Zealand Herald reported that students from nearby Mount Albert Grammar School were in the area when the incident occurred, and that principal Patrick Drumm was seen behind the police cordon during the response.

Police have not confirmed whether the victim was a student at the school.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken with police has been asked to come forward.

Emergency Response

Multiple emergency services responded to the scene:

  • Hato Hone St John sent an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand deployed three crews to assist police
  • A police cordon was established around the station and surrounding area

The cordon remained in place for several hours before being lifted at 9.30pm that evening.

Passengers on the train told RNZ that the driver applied the brakes suddenly upon seeing the person on the tracks, though the train was unable to stop in time.

Impact on Auckland Rail Services

The incident caused disruption to train services across parts of Auckland's rail network for the remainder of the day.

Auckland Transport confirmed that intermittent services resumed later in the evening, running:

  • Between the city centre and Morningside
  • Between Avondale and Swanson

Commuters affected by the disruption were advised to follow Auckland Transport's real-time service updates for further guidance.

A Community in Mourning

Baldwin Avenue Station sits in the heart of Mount Albert, a busy suburb with several schools nearby, meaning the platform is typically used by large numbers of students during afternoon peak hours.

The presence of high school students at the time of the incident has added an extra layer of distress for the wider school community, many of whom may have witnessed the immediate aftermath.

Police have not released further details about the circumstances leading up to the incident and have indicated that inquiries are ongoing.

What Happens Next

As is standard procedure following a fatality on the rail network, police will prepare a report for the Coroner. No further public details are expected until that process is complete.

Auckland Transport and KiwiRail have not yet issued a separate statement regarding the incident beyond confirming disruption to services.

The community has been urged to be patient as police continue notifying family members and completing their initial investigation into the circumstances of the boy's death.


This article was first reported by RNZ and has been republished with attribution by Webfitnews.

If this story has raised concerns for you, support is available through Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or Kidsline on 0800 543 754.