UPDATED 1:15PM: Footage has emerged online showing the moment a train slams into the back of a car at a railway crossing in Matamata.

The video posted to Facebook shows the car stuck in the middle of the railway tracks at a crossing on State Highway 27 before it is struck by the train at about 7:20am.

Speaking to Fairfax the man who captured the video Taui Johnson says about five people were around the car moments before the collision

'I saw them all running from the car and then I could hear the sound of the brakes and the horn from the train and that's when I realised, holy moly, there is actually a train coming here.

Everyone around the car scattered and about 10 seconds later, the train smashed into the car.

**WARNING VIDEO CONTAINS COARSE LANGUAGE***

'That's when I thought, I hope there's no one stuck in the car.”

There were no occupants inside the vehicle at the time of the collision.

A nearby resident tells Fairfax the driver had been heading north from the racecourse and hit the signal box as he crossed over the tracks.

His car ended metres from the road, sitting at right angles to the tracks. He was helped from the wrecked car before the train smashed into the back by locals and there was no one else in the Hyundai.

The train is reported to have been carrying logs bound for Tauranga.

- stuff.co.nz

EARLIER 9.35AM:

The scene of a crash between a car and a train is now cleared and congestion is easing, says the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Police closed several following the collision at a railway crossing near State Highway 27 and Burwood Road which occurred shortly before 8am.

Both police and the NZTA thank motorists for their patience.

EARLIER:

Emergency services are at the scene of a collision between a car and freight train in Matamata.

A police spokesperson says the collision occurred at a railway crossing near State Highway 27 and Burwood Road shortly before 8am.

'There are no injuries but some power lines are down.'

As a result of the crash, SH27, Burwood and Beatty roads, and Firth Street will be closed until further notice.