A fatal collision between a train and a vehicle took place Friday night about 42 kilometres west of Portage la Prairie.

At around 8:50 p.m., Portage la Prairie RCMP and the MacGregor Fire Department responded to the collision. RCMP were still on the scene around 10:17 p.m. Friday.

The collision took place on Manitoba Highway 34 near Road 66 North, located just north of Highway 1.

Portage la Prairie #rcmpmb are on scene of a serious collision between a train and vehicle on #MBHwy 34, located between Road 66 & 67 N. Please avoid the area. Further information to be provided in the morning.

— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) September 19, 2020

Investigators have determined an SUV was travelling southbound on Highway 34 when a vehicle drove through a crossing arm and struck a CN train travelling eastbound.

The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. They have yet to be identified.

In their tweet about the incident, RCMP asked motorists to avoid the area at the time.

Portage RCMP officers and the RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist are working alongside the CN Police Service and the Chief Medical Examiners' Office to investigate the collision.