Police say two people have been killed and at least 20 injured in a rail accident in north-west Germany.

A train hit a truck on a road crossing outside the town of Ibbenburen, around 50km from the Dutch border.

The train was travelling from nearby Osnabruck. It came to a stop between 200 and 300m from the site of the collision.

Reuters reports that the driver was not physically injured, but is being treated for shock.

Three of those injured are said to be in a serious condition.

The train was operated by a small private company and not the national rail provider, according to reports.