Clean-up under way after fatal level crossing crash

Wreckage is still strewn around the scene of a fatal train and truck crash that happened near Forbes, in central western New South Wales, on Saturday night.

Police say a man, believed to be a 33-year old farmer from Forbes, who was carting hay, was killed when his vehicle collided with the unladen freight train and he was thrown from his rigid truck.

The accident happened at a level crossing at Back Creek in the Garema area, 25 kilometres south-east of Forbes on the Cootamundra to Parkes line.

Detective Sergeant Steve Howard from Lachlan area police says the driver died at the scene while the train caught fire.

"Two train drivers managed to jump from the actual locomotive. They were treated at Forbes Hospital," he said.

The train company, Pacific National, says one of the drivers is still in hospital with four broken ribs while the other has been released.

A spokeswoman for Pacific National, Marie Festa, says trains will be diverted around the section of the Parkes to Cootamundra line while the wreckage is cleared today.

"We had cranes arrive overnight and we'll be starting the clean-up this morning," she said.

"We had three locomotives that caught fire and were significantly damaged and some wagons behind that as well.

"We're looking at already up to $10 million replacement costs on the equipment."

Ms Festa says the accident happened on a level crossing which did not have lights or boom gates.

"It's too early to say any definite cause," she said.

"Pacific National will be investigating, as will other authorities, and we do urge all drivers to be safe around level crossings and take care."