KiwiRail already has plans to upgrade a Bay of Plenty level crossing where two people were killed yesterday morning.

Three others were injured when a car they were in collided with a train in Pongakawa just after 8am.

KiwiRail says the crossing already has flashing lights and bells - and half-barrier arms will be installed early next year.

It says several near misses have occurred at the crossing in the past decade, but no other collisions.

One of the injured is in a critical condition, and another serious, in Waikato Hospital.

The third is in a serious condition in Tauranga Hospital.

KiwiRail says the train driver was not injured and is receiving support.

An eyewitness to the fatal crash said the car was pushed about 4m and into a pole upon impact.

Shanelle Whitaker lives near the Pongakawa crossing.

"I heard the crash, which made me look up, saw the car flying off the track and a jersey flew out, and the pole of the train lights just went down.

"I just went running out trying to find my phone and then panicked."

Shanelle says some drivers took risks at the crossing and tried to get across while a train was approaching.

She said she had seen people in the past driving across when the lights are flashing and trains sound their horns.

Pongakawa man Troy O'Reilly says there is good visibility at the crossing, but the volume of traffic had been increasing.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is aware of the crash and the commissioner is seeking more information before deciding whether to investigate.