Auckland, July 13 NZPA - A father charged with the manslaughter of his four-year-old son, after he allegedly drove into the path of a freight train in south Auckland, told a court today he was "distracted".

Alan Stephens, 39, appeared in Pukekohe District Court today charged with reckless driving causing manslaughter and three charges of reckless driving causing injury, the Stuff website reported.

Crown prosecutor Kevin Glubb told the court Stephens had left home on January 20 in his car with his three children Shannyne, 6, Trae Blayde, 4 and Holly, 2 and his niece Nakita, 12.

Stephens drove his car around barrier arms at the railway intersection at Paerata, near Pukekohe, directly into the path of the train, Mr Glubb said.

The train slammed into the back of the car, spinning it around and flinging Nakita out the back window of the car and on to the road.

Nakita survived severe head injuries , but would have serious problems for the rest of her life, he said.

Trae sustained critical injuries and was flown to hospital by rescue helicopter, where he died later of his injuries.

Holly suffered subdural bleeding to the brain and Shannon received cuts and bruises. Both survived.

Stephens was not injured.

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