A train carrying Republican lawmakers hit a rubbish truck on the track in Virginia, leaving at least one man dead and another seriously injured.

The US politicians, including Paul Ryan, the House Speaker, were on their way to a policy retreat in West Virginia when the crash occurred.

The truck was reportedly attempting to cross the train line crossing near Charlottesville, Virginia, when the crash occurred, hitting the three people in the vehicle.

None of the passengers on board the train are believed to have suffered significant injuries.

Senator Jeff Flake was travelling on the train and said the collision "threw everybody up in their seats".