A man has been struck and killed by a road train on the Stuart Highway, 30 kilometres south of Tennant Creek.

Superintendent Daniel Bacon from Tennant Creek Police said the incident occurred at around 11.15pm last night.

“Major Crash Investigators are in the preliminary stages of their investigations and believe the man, aged in his 50’s, was involved in a single vehicle crash three kilometres south of this incident.

“Police understand the man’s car was damaged after hitting a cow and he was walking back to Tennant Creek when struck by the north-bound road train.

“The driver of the road train had to continue north for several kilometres before being able to report the incident to Police using his mobile phone.

“The 54-year-old driver was treated for shock at the scene.”

Superintendent Bacon said investigations into the crash were continuing.

“It is always distressing for family to learn a loved one has died on our roads and even more so for it to occur at this time of year.  Our thoughts are with them.”

The Stuart Highway has been reopened to all traffic.

The death takes the road toll to 36 compared to 45 at the same time last year.