The woman tragically hit by a train in Hamilton this week was a young mum with a baby who was just a few days old.
The coroner’s office has confirmed it is treating the Frankton train station tragedy on Tuesday morning as a suspected suicide.
The woman was 27 and the baby was less than a week old, the coroner confirmed.
Coroner Bruce Hesketh is currently investigating the cause and circumstances of death.
Police told the Herald they would not release any further information.
Emergency services were called just after 8am and found both mother and baby dead.
KiwiRail’s acting group chief executive, David Gordon, said the train driver had been furloughed and offered advice and other support.
“These types of events are deeply traumatic for those involved, and our hearts go out to everyone involved,” Gordon said.
Shortly after the couple died, several people gathered at the scene and could be seen hugging and comforting each other.
The area was cordoned off while police investigated.
In 2018, a campaign called Mothers Matter was launched to pressure the government to set up a national earmarked fund to ensure women receive the postnatal care of their choice – whether in hospital, at home or in a birthing unit.
The group aims to tackle New Zealand’s maternal suicide rate, which is five times higher than in the UK, and postnatal depression, which affects up to 15% of Kiwi mothers after giving birth.
WHERE TO GET HELP: If you are worried about your mental health or that of someone else, the best place to get help is your local GP or mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or putting others in danger, call the police immediately on 111.
OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:
- LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 or 09 5222 999 in Auckland (available 24/7)
• SUICIDE CRISIS HOTLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633, free SMS 234 or e-mail [email protected] or chat online.
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
• DEPRESSION HOTLINE: 0800 111 757
• SAMARITANS – 0800 726 666.
– by Nikki Preston
.
