Two people have died after being hit by trains in separate accidents this morning.

One person died after a being struck by a train in central Hamilton.

Senior Sergeant David Raffan, of Hamilton, said the incident occurred in a rail tunnel on Ward St.

Police were called about 4.30am. St John Ambulance sent two vehicles, but the person died.

"Support is being provided to the driver of the train and the deceased's next of kin are being notified," Raffan said.

A second person died on the West Coast after their car crashed into a power pole and was then hit by a train.

It happened at the intersection of Maimai Rd and State Highway 5 at Mawheraiti shortly before 3am.

Police said there was one person in the car and they were found dead at the scene.

They said it appears the driver crashed into a power pole, causing their car to end up on the train tracks where it was struck by the locomotive.

The police Serious Crash Unit is investigating.