A 38-year-old father has appeared in court on dangerous driving charges following a collision between a train and his car that killed his four-year-old son.
The man, who was granted interim name suppression, appeared in Pukekohe District Court today facing three counts of dangerous driving causing injury and one count of dangerous driving causing death.
The charges relate to an incident on January 20 when he and four children were travelling in a car struck by a freight train on a level crossing at Paerata, near Pukekohe, 50km southwest of Auckland.
While the man escaped with minor injuries, his son was airlifted to Auckland's Starship Hospital in a critical condition and later died.
Three girls, aged 12, six and two, were hospitalised as a result of the crash.
The man did not enter a plea in court today and was remanded on bail to reappear on February 25.
Senior Sergeant Rob Arnold of Pukekohe police said the investigation was ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact police.
In particular, Mr Arnold said he would like to speak with anyone who might have seen the Silver Mitsubishi Sedan travelling on State Highway 22 between Drury and Paerata.
