UPDATE 1PM:
Police have confirmed a 78-year-old man has died in a crash on the New England Highway near Muswellbrook this morning.
The man was driving a white Mazda sedan north along the road when he collided with a horse transport truck travelling in the opposite direction.
He sadly died at the scene.
The driver of the truck was unharmed, while a horse on board sustained a minor injury.
The Highway is still blocked in both directions, with diversions in place.
Detectives have established a crime scene and a brief is being prepared for the coroner.
EARLIER:
The New England Highway is closed to traffic in both directions after a serious crash just north of Muswellbrook.
It's understood a car and a horse float truck collided at the intersection of Sandy Creek Road just before 10.30 this morning.
Police say one person in the car died at the scene.
It's understood the occupants of the truck escaped injury.
It's believed the horse float truck was carrying a number of horses, however the exact number and their condition is not known at this stage.
Northbound traffic is being diverted into Aberdeen Street while southbound traffic is being diverted into the Dartbrook Mine Access Road.
It's likely the highway will remain closed for some time while crash investigators examine the scene.
