A freight train driver is taking time off after being attacked on the job yesterday.
A northbound freight train at the Rangiora Station. Photo: Katy Gosset/RNZ
Police are speaking with one man and are still looking for another after the assault in Feilding in the early hours of yesterday morning.
KiwiRail said the train was partway through the journey between Auckland and Christchurch when the driver stopped to check something at the rear about 3pm.
The company chief executive Todd Moyle said the lone driver found two people had boarded the train illegally.
They attacked him when he asked them to leave.
After being punched the driver fled and locked himself in the front cab, but the assailants proceeded to throw rocks at him, smashing the cab's windows.
Mr Moyle said police dogs have tracked down one attacker, but the police are still looking for the second.
He said although not seriously injured, the driver is shaken, and is taking leave to recover.