A MAN has died after a Sydney-bound passenger train collided with a ute between Moree and Narrabri.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Moree to Sydney Xplorer service was stopped less than a hour into its trip when it hit a ute at a rail crossing near Millie Road in Bellata.
At About 8.40am emergency services were called to the scene 50 kilometres north of Narrabri after the southbound XPT struck a Holden Rodeo at the crossing in Bellata.
READ ALSO:
The 64-year-old male driver of the ute died at the scene.
There were no reports of injuries on board the train, which was carrying 18 passengers and three crew.
The train was evacuated as police forensically examined the vehicles.
The passengers were put on buses from Bellata.
Passengers from Werris Creek onward were placed on buses for the rest of the journey to Sydney.
Officers from Oxley Police District will prepare a report for the coroner.
Transport for NSW declined to comment on the incident on Sunday.
Its website listed cited an "operational issue" for the delay.
"Due to an operational issue at Bellata the Sydney to Moree Xplorer service has been replaced by road coaches between Werris Creek and Moree," it said.
"At Werris Creek customers will join a road coach service for the remainder of their journey."
It marked a hectic weekend on the roads for local emergency services.
On Sunday, the rescue chopper went to a two-car crash on the Kamilaroi Highway near Somerton.
The two male patients were later taken by ambulance to Tamworth hospital with minor injuries.
The chopper was flown to Upper Horton on Saturday after a 16-year-old girl came off her dirt bike and suffered suspected possible internal injuries and fractures.
She was flown to Tamworth in a stable condition.
EARLIER
A MAN has died after a Sydney-bound passenger train collided with a ute between Moree and Narrabri.
The Moree to Sydney Xplorer service was stopped less than a hour into its trip when it hit a ute at a rail crossing near Millie Road in Bellata.
The male driver of the ute died at the scene.
There were no reports of injuries on board the train.
The train was evacuated as police examined the vehicle.
The passengers were put on buses from Bellata.
Passengers from Werris Creek onward were placed on buses for the rest of the journey to Sydney.
Police from the Oxley district will prepare a report for the coroner.