New South Wales Police have begun a critical incident investigation after a man was killed in a head-on crash between a car and truck north of Tamworth.
Police say just before 9:00am officers began a pursuit of a stolen vehicle on the New England Highway near Bendemeer, 40 kilometres north of the regional centre.
The driver of the car died at the scene, while the driver of the truck sustained minor injuries and has been taken to hospital for mandatory tests.
The truck caught fire, which spread to bushland on the side of the road and fire crews are on site.
The New England Highway is closed in both directions.
