Emergency operation underway in the Bay Of Plenty

EMERGENCY SITUATION | BREAKING NEWS: An emergency operation is underway and police are racing to the scene of a car crash which has a man stuck over a railway crossing.

Motorists report the barrier arms are down and traffic is backed up along SH29 towards Maungatapu. Traffic is also backed up along Maunganui Road past Bayfair.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

"I am really scared, if a train comes... there is no way they will know it has happened" one witness told infonews.co.nz

Photos and more updates to come.

This is breaking news, more to follow...