A train was stopped and a section of railway temporarily closed this afternoon after a fleeing driver crashed and abandoned a vehicle on tracks near Levin.

A police spokesperson said officers signalled for a vehicle to stop in Koputāroa - a rural community in the Horowhenua District - after it was spotted travelling at excessive speeds about 12pm.

“It instead fled from police and was not pursued. It has then driven along railway tracks and crashed.”

Police said after 1pm that the vehicle was off the tracks and cordons were in place while staff worked to locate the occupants of the vehicle.

“KiwiRail has been notified.”

KiwiRail’s lower North Island infrastructure manager Michael Jones said a train was stopped this afternoon and the track temporarily closed between Levin and Koputāroa due to a vehicle on the tracks.

“Our track teams attended the site and assessed the track for any damage. We have since received police clearance to reopen the track,” Jones said.

“Any further information should come from the police.”