Six injured in Wellington train derailment between Box Hill, Khandallah

Wellington train derailment - 6 June 2026 — Engineers inspect the train between Box HIll and Khandallah. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

Several people have been injured when a train derailed on the Johnsonville line, between Box Hill and Khandallah stations in Wellington.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand, ambulance crews and police were called to the scene, closer to Khandallah, about 7.20pm Saturday evening.

Wellington Free Ambulance sent six vehicles and six patients were ultimately transported to hospital, two with serious injuries.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand, ambulance crews and police were called to the scene of emergency services responding to a train derailment in Wellington. — Wellington Free Ambulance says some have moderate or minor injuries. Photo: RNZ: Mark Stevens

“We have a big contingent of KiwiRail staff, Transdev staff and Rotem staff on site,” said Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter. “The train was just south of the Khandallah station, I wouldn’t want to speculate.”

Three fire appliances were dispatched and all passengers were removed from the train. Police initially confirmed the train had derailed with injuries.

An electronic sign at Box Hill station in Wellington advises train passengers of delays caused by a derailment on the night of 6 June 2026. — The derailment is believed to be between between Box Hill and Khandallah station. Photo: RNZ: Mark Stevens

“We’ve seen them all getting carted to the ambulance on the stretchers and that,” said local resident Jo Hosie, who had friends on the train.

Others nearby reported hearing “a crash” and sounds like “thunder”.

Wellington City councillor Diane Calvert told AFP she “heard a huge short boom”.

Speaking at the scene, KiwiRail chief metro officer David Gordon said his thoughts went out to those hurt, including the driver who had hit his head and had been taken to hospital.

“This is dramatic,” he said. “You get a text like this coming through… which says ‘derailment and passengers injured’ - it’s pretty gut-wrenching.

The train that derailed near Box Hill in Wellington on the night of 6 June 2026 — Fire and Emergency has told RNZ that all the passengers are now off the train. Photo: RNZ/Mark Stevens

“It’s just not what you want and for the people on board, it’s been worse.”

Gordon said he didn’t know what caused the accident, which occurrred just off the far-end of the Khandallah platform.

“We don’t know what the cause of the accident is. The train is still standing upright, it’s gone onto the single track section and moved onto the runaway section, as opposed to the main line.”

He said it had rested against a block of concrete designed to stop the train running further.

“It’s still standing upright, but its wheels are off the tracks.”

Gordon said workers would remain on site throughout the night.

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