How Did a Wellington Train Pass a Red Signal and Hit a Stop Block?

What happened at Khandallah Station?

On 6 June 2026, Transdev Wellington Train 9379 was travelling southbound on the Johnsonville Line when it was diverted onto a runaway track at Khandallah Station in Wellington, New Zealand. The train struck a concrete stop block at 33 km/h and derailed.

The signalling system had detected that the track ahead was occupied. The train passed a red signal — known as a SPAD, or signal passed at danger — and, despite emergency braking, could not stop before the stop block.

Six people were injured in the collision: both crew members and four passengers. No deaths were reported.

What does TAIC's interim report say?

• The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) opened inquiry RO-2026-105 into the collision.
• TAIC released an interim report on 15 October 2026, setting out what is known so far about the sequence of events.
• The investigation is still in progress. TAIC says a full report will follow with final findings, causes, safety issues and recommendations.
• TAIC investigates to find the circumstances and causes of transport accidents and to help prevent similar occurrences, rather than to assign blame.

Why the investigation matters

• The incident raises questions about how a passenger train came to pass a red signal and end up on a runaway track.
• The interim report confirms the signalling system detected that the track ahead was occupied, a detail investigators will examine as they establish the full sequence of events.
• Until the final report is published, the cause of the collision has not been finally determined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the Khandallah train crash?

On 6 June 2026, Transdev Wellington Train 9379 passed a red signal, was diverted onto a runaway track at Khandallah Station and struck a concrete stop block at 33 km/h, derailing the train.

How many people were injured?

Six people were injured: both crew members and four passengers, according to TAIC. No deaths were reported.

What is TAIC investigating?

TAIC inquiry RO-2026-105 is examining the circumstances and causes of the collision. An interim report was released on 15 October 2026, and a full report with findings and recommendations will follow.

Has the cause been confirmed?

No. The investigation is ongoing, and the final cause has not yet been determined.