Buckled seats and extensive damage was visible inside a Wellington train carriage after it crashed into a concrete stop block near Khandallah Station over the weekend.
Train services in Wellington face days of disruption after the commuter train travelling on the Johnsonville Line derailed on Saturday night.
Six passengers were injured when the train was diverted onto a dead-end track near Khandallah, with investigators working to determine the cause.
Greater Wellington Regional Council said it was not ruling out any possible causes of the derailment.
"It's dreadful. It’s the call that everyone dreads having to receive within our industry and I can only take my hat off to emergency services," Greater Wellington chief executive Daran Ponter told Breakfast.
Asked about the cause of the derailment, he told Breakfast "we haven’t ruled anything out at this stage, as it could be a combination of things".
"It could be anything from a medical event, to a signal failure, or anything in between."
Greater Wellington chief executive Daran Ponter said the cause had not been determined, as it could be "a combination of things". (Source: Breakfast)
Ponter said it could be months before the cause was determined.
“If there is anything immediate that needs to translate to the network and how we operate out trains, that will be known and communicate by Transport Accident Investigation Commission. But generally these sites are treated like a crime scene and it is quite a forensic exercise to go through.
"If it is something deeper, a systemic issue etc, like something with the signalling system then that may take longer to get to the bottom of," he added.
Ponter said the line was closed until Wednesday or Thursday this week to allow for investigations and to move the train, with bus replacements on in the meantime.
“Effectively the train is fatter than when it started, so it can’t go through the tunnels. It will be pulled back to the Khandallah station and lifted off the track by road out of the area."
TAIC chief accidents investigator Louise Cook said it was too early to determine the cause of the crash.
"We're examining all relevant factors," she said, adding that investigators would look at the people involved, the systems, train data, and CCTV footage."
Cook appealed for witnesses to come forward. "Getting information is vital, so we're keen to hear as soon as possible from people who were on the train or who saw the accident occur. We're especially interested in receiving photos or videos."
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