A person is dead after a crash involving a car and a train at a railway crossing in Invercargill.

The vehicle collided with two southbound locomotives coupled together at Mill Road South about 1.20pm, a KiwiRail spokesperson said.

The crossing was protected with flashing lights and bells, the spokesperson said.

In an update about 5.10pm police confirmed the sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

An inquiry was ongoing.

Motorists were advised to expect delays while emergency services worked at the scene.

An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene earlier said a cover was placed over the vehicle involved.

State Highway 1 was closed between the intersection with Mill Road North and the Racecourse Rd roundabout for several hours, but shortly before 8pm NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advised it had reopened.

Motorists were told to take extra care in the area.

It was earlier reported that the train involved in today’s crash was a freight train. Police corrected the information in their update.

- Allied Media