A heavily intoxicated Blenheim man slept between railway tracks as a train rumbled over the top of him in Blenheim early on Saturday, police say.

The train driver phoned police and told them he may have run over somebody on the railway tracks at the Dillons Pt Rd crossing in Blenheim about 5am.

"The driver wasn't sure if it was clothing he had gone over or not," Constable Michelle Stagg of Blenheim said. "When police arrived, sure enough there he was, asleep between the tracks."

Police woke the man, who they said was very drunk and found the only injuries he had were some minor cuts to his forehead. He had been lying on his back between the tracks as the southbound freight train passed over him.

"He was very lucky to have only a few minor cuts on him, it's amazing really," Miss Stagg said. The man has not been charged, she said.

KiwiRail senior communications adviser Jenni Austin said KiwiRail continued to be horrified by the reckless actions of some individuals near railway tracks.

"This man is obviously extremely lucky, but it really is horrifying to picture it. These people put their lives into grave danger and cause considerable distress to our drivers." Ms Richardson urged the public to keep clear of the rail tracks at all times and only cross the tracks at designated level crossings.

"Trains cannot swerve and by the time our drivers see someone on the tracks, it is usually too late for them to be able to stop. It is illegal for people to be on the rail corridor for good reason ... keep clear of them."

If you are the man involved in this incident or know the man, please contact reporter Sam Morton on 035208916 or email sam.morton@marlexpress.co.nz