About 3pm, emergency services were called to the Gwydir Highway, about 40km east of Glen Innes, after reports a car had crashed into bushland.

Police have been told an 81-year-old man was driving a Ford Falcon east on the highway when the vehicle left the road and went down an embankment before crashing into bushland.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, died at the scene.

Officers from New England Local Area Command established a crime scene, which was examined by forensic specialists.

Inspector Chris McKinnon of Armidale Police said inquiries were continuing.

“Police are unsure as to what caused the accident,” he told The Leader.

“Police will conduct an investigation on behalf of the coroner to determine the cause of the accident.”

Meanwhile, a female driver was taken to Armidale hospital with minor injuries after crashing her car on the New England Highway, yesterday at Kentucky.

The woman was reportedly trapped in her vehicle and a rescue unit was sent to the scene, with traffic not unduly affected.