Police name Filipino fruit workers killed in train crash

6:46 pm on 21 June 2019

Police have released the names of two Filipino workers killed when a train hit a car in Bay of Plenty on Wednesday.

Site of train, car crash on Pongakawa School Road

Photo: RNZ / Matthew Theunissen

Three people were injured and Chary Alonzo Sabalande, 34, and Roymark Solomon Bering, 32, were killed while travelling to work on Pongakawa School Road near Te Puke just after 8am.

Police said the two men had arrived recently from the Phillippines and were living and working locally.

Two of the injured remain in hospital in a critical condition while a third has now been discharged.

KiwiRail has said it plans to upgrade the level crossing.

Philippines Ambassador Jesus Domingo said the embassy was coordinating with New Zealand authorities.

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