About 6.50pm tonight, emergency services were called to the New England Highway at Bendemeer, after a southbound utility left the road, collided with a guard rail and overturned.

The driver, a man in his 40s, was ejected from the car and died at the scene, according to police.

Investigations suggest he was not wearing a seatbelt, police said in a statement.

A crime scene was established, which will be examined by forensic specialists.

The New England Highway is closed in both directions and diversions are in place.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

No more details at this stage.

8.50pm: Motorists travelling north from Tamworth can use Manilla Rd to Warialda via Manilla and then Gwydir Highway to return to the New England Highway at Glen Innes.

Southbound motorists at Glen Innes should use the Gwydir Highway to Warialda and then Manilla Rd to Tamworth via Manilla.

8.15pm: A NSW Police spokesman has confirmed to The Leader the accident appears to be a fatal.

Officers and emergency services remain at the scene, about 1.5km north of the Moonbi Ranges on the New England Highway.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman has told The Leader local crews were called to reports of a single-vehicle accident on the New England Highway about 15km south of Bendemeer shortly before 7pm.

8.05pm: Motorists are advised to delay their journey and expect significant delays as there are no diversions in place.

Heavy vehicles are being parked.

BREAKING: The New England Highway is closed in both directions due to a car accident about 15 kilomtres south of the Oxley Highway, near Bendemeer.

Emergency services and the RMS are on scene.

More to come.