A woman is in hospital in a serious condition after she was struck by a train just before 8.30am in Blenheim.
The incident occured in the centre of Blenheim near a roundabout. Police said the train driver had seen the woman and tried to warn her by using the train horn.
The woman was taken to Wairau Hospital with serious head and arm injuries.
St John Marlborough territory manager Murray Neal said it appeared the woman was crossing the tracks at the time she was struck. The train driver was unhurt but shaken.
The Main Street level crossing is protected by barrier arms, lights and bells which were working at the time.
Kiwi Rail communications adviser Bec Saxton said the driver will be given time off and offered counselling, the standard practice after incidents of this nature.
This is the first reported pedestrian incident on the southern footpath. However, there was a previous incident on the northern footpath in 2008.
There have been no road collisions since the roundabout was set up in 2000.
The train was a south-bound freight service travelling to Christchurch.
