The dangers of crossing Ngāruawāhia's rail bridge - which claimed the life of a young girl last night - are well-known by locals, but they say they can't stop people from doing it.
The danger signs at the rail bridge at Ngaruawahia. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
The Waikato town is mourning the death of the 11-year old girl, who was killed by a train on the bridge.
The bridge is a regular hang-out for young people who often walk across it and can be seen jumping off it into the Waikato River in summer.
A 9-year-old boy was killed on the bridge in 2002.
Even with increased security measures over the years, the problem has not gone away and locals do not seem to have any answers.
The girl was understood to be walking across the bridge with friends when a southbound freight train hit her.
The danger signs at the rail bridge at Ngaruawahia. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
The bridge has fences either side of the line at both ends, but access to the track and bridge is still easy.
Peter Tuteao - who has lived in the town for 10 years - regards the actions of anyone going onto the bridge as foolhardy.
"It's a long drop, so do they know what is underneath the bridge - there could be anything below in the water."
Flowers left near the site of a young girl's death on Ngaruawahia's rail bridge. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Polly Martin took exception to a claim that jumping off the bridge was a rite of passage for young people.
She was born and bred in the town and while her friends did jump off the bridge when they were young, she said they were more responsible in those days.
"When they saw a train they got off and when the train passed they went back."
She said there was now a different generation.
"It goes in this ear and out the other ear."
Sheree Rau said she felt frightened every time she saw young people on the bridge.
She suggested a walkway could be built alongside the rail bridge.
Ngaruawahia's rail bridge Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Jake, 18, said he had never jumped off the bridge but knew plenty of friends who had.
He did not know why they did it and suggested it might be thrill seeking.
Jake said he had never heard that it was a right of passage.
Sue has lived in Ngāruawhāhia all her life and said she never went on the bridge when she was young because she was too scared.
"It is what they have always done, so that is what they do and you won't ever stop it.
"Unless the parents go down there and pull their kids off and stop them from climbing but you can't be with your children 24-7, so that is just the way it is."
Jack Ayers was part of a group which saw the mayor only a week ago to talk about the problem and to organise a public meeting.
He said Kiwirail had tried a number of things - including fences - but local children still found ways in.
"Anything that makes it more difficult the children see it as a challenge and that is something they want to do and carry on doing it."
Mr Ayers said the community must seize the initiative and get together to work out solutions before another person died on the bridge.
Waikato District mayor Allan Sanson Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Waikato District mayor Allan Sanson said Kiwirail, the council and police had worked very hard on the problem, but the passage of trains could not be blocked.
"It is a bit like putting a gate on the road. Someone is going to drive through it or someone is going to take it down sooner or later.
"The problem is actually trying to get kids to not walk on to the track and be educated enough not to do that," he said.
Ngaruawahia's rail bridge. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Kiwirail said it was a tragic event the train driver could not do anything about.
Chief Executive Peter Reidy said a whole new approach to solving the problem was needed.
He said the community needed to become more involved in finding solutions.
A public meeting is expected to be held in Ngāruawāhia in a few weeks time.