Police release name of fatal Whakatane train crash

Thursday, 6 July 2017

Arthur Terrence Delahunty was killed when a train hit his car near the Otamarakau Sandpit Reserve.

Police have released the name of the man who died when a train hit his car near Whakatane on Wednesday.

Arthur Terrence Delahunty, 64, of Ohope, died in the accident on State Highway 2 in Otamarakau at 8.30am.

Witness Stan Keane, a digger driver, was working beside beachfront railway tracks between Tauranga and Whakatane at the time.

Keane heard the train coming.

READ MORE: Helpless after fatal crash

He turned to wave to the driver and saw the car stuck to the front of the locomotive with a man inside.

Keane went to help, but there was nothing he could do.

KiwiRail said in a statement that the freight train was travelling from Kawerau to Mt Maunganui at the time.

'The locomotive driver is understandably distressed but physically uninjured,' a spokesperson said.

According to SunLive, Delahunty, known as 'Arch' had been with the former Bay of Plenty Catchment Commission back in the 1970s and returned to the regional council 12 years ago. Flags outside Bay of Plenty Regional Council are flying at half mast on Thursday in his honour.

'Arch was a well-loved and dedicated member of staff,' regional council chair Doug Leeder told SunLive.

'We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing and our hearts go out to his family and friends.'

His engineering work was an integral part of who he was, said rivers and drainage manager Bruce Crabbe.

'Arch was a humble man with many talents, squash being a questionable one, and a wicked sense of humour. It's unfair when the good ones go before they should.'

Regional council chief executive Mary-Anne Macleod told SunLive that Delahunty's colleagues and friends within the organisation are struggling to come to terms with the news.

'Arch was part of our extended whanau. His strong connections with people go right through our organisation, so we ask for understanding at this tragically unexpected time.'

Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.

Whakatane Police are still seeking more witnesses to the crash. They are asked to contact police on (07) 308 5255.