A young Swiss national on a working holiday in New Zealand has been identified as the man killed while walking along the railway line near Raumati, Kapiti Coast, at 1am on Saturday.
He was Christophe Paul Breisinger, aged 23, who was struck by a freight train as he walked home to Paekakariki. He died at the scene.
Detective Sergeant James McKay, Kapiti CIB, said Mr Breisinger's death was a great shock and tragedy for his family and for the freight train crew.
"Christophe's death is a sad reminded of the dangers of walking on the railway lines," Detective Sergeant McKay said.
Police say Mr Breisinger, who arrived in New Zealand seven months ago, had his last day at an electrical position in Wellington on Friday and was due to continue his travels with his girlfriend. Their plan was to travel elsewhere in the North Island, then Australia before returning home to Switzerland.
It's believed Mr Breisinger had been on a passenger train from Wellington to Paraparaumu late on Friday night and may have missed his stop at Paekakariki. He's then perhaps chosen to walk home along the railway lines.
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Released by:
Kaye Calder
Wellington Police District communications manager
Tel 04 496 3464 or 0274 373 020