Emergency services are at the scene of a incident in which a car was struck by a train while crossing tracks onto a private road this afternoon.

The crash, which happend at around 1.50 pm, occured on State Highway 1 about 7 kilometres south of Otaki. One person is reported to have been in the car. Injuries to this person are unknown at this stage however a resuce helicopter is being deployed to the scene to carry out a medical evacuation.

Right now State Highway 1 is being closed for this purpose. It will be open shortly however traffic will need to exercise caution passing through the area.

No other injuries have been reported. Damage, if any, to the train will be assessed in due course.