Sharon Reynolds Whaea posted the message to Facebook after her son Shaun was killed on his way to work when he was hit by a train at the level crossing on Mathias St in Darfield about 7am on Wednesday.
"He was on his way to work, vibing along to his music dancing along the train tracks as he often does and was hit by the train.
"No one is at fault. As a whanau right now we need your prayers and love and thank you all for that.
"When we have made some decisions about farewelling Shaun’s earthly body we will let you know. For now, we know that the race before him has ended and he is with Jesus. Amen."
Hato Hone St John sent an ambulance, operations manager and rapid response vehicle to the incident and directed further inquiries to the police.
The rail line was also closed yesterday and the TranzAlpine service from Christchurch to Greymouth was replaced by buses.
The police serious crash unit conducted a scene examination following the incident.
A police spokesperson earlier said inquiries into the circumstances of what happened were ongoing.
A KiwiRail spokesperson said the collision was at a level crossing that had warning lights and bells.
More than $7 million was invested by Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency for new automatic gates and hazard lights at 11 level crossings in Auckland after a raft of near-misses and deaths on the tracks.
In April 2017, 16-year-old Keenan Matthes accidentally crossed railway tracks in front of a train at the Metcalfe Rd level crossing in Ranui, West Auckland.
Since his death, his parents Presley and Karamea Matthes have been campaigning for all level crossings to be fitted with automatic gates throughout New Zealand.
-Additional reporting Sam Sherwood, NZ Herald
