The driver of a vehicle hit by a train at Hilderthorpe, north of Oamaru this morning has walked away from the crash unharmed.
Emergency services were called to scene at the rail crossing near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Hilderthorpe Rd shortly after 11.30am, where the car involved in the crash, which sustained significant damage to its front, was found abandoned on the highway a short distance away.
Acting Sergeant Carl Pedersen, of Oamaru, said it was initially reported that the man fled the scene in an effort to evade police.
However, he said that did not appear to be the case and the man had "just walked back to where he had come from'' in the direction of the Lower Waitaki Golf Club in Hilderthorpe Rd.
The driver of the car, who was not injured, was from Oamaru and known to police, he said.
The train, which was travelling in a northbound direction at the time, was not believed to have suffered any serious damage and the driver was not injured.
Two appliances from the Oamaru Volunteer Fire Brigade and St John also attended the scene.
Inquiries are continuing.
