The driver of a maroon Ford Falcon was believed to have been turning right onto the highway when he collided with the truck travelling north through the intersection.

The male driver of a third vehicle was taken to hospital after colliding with the overturned medium-rigid truck.

Several bystanders, which included off duty ACT nurses, came to the aid of those involved. Sadly, the driver of the Ford died at the scene.

Emergency services successfully freed the driver of the other car and he has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. They are not reported to be life threatening.

The truck driver has also been taken to Canberra Hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

Barton Highway was expected to be closed city bound for some time, with traffic being diverted to Gungahlin Drive.

IN COVID-19 NEWS:

The crash occurred at about 11.20am on Wednesday. ACT Police had been conducting COVID compliance checks in the area at the time and were on scene not long after.

Detective Acting Superintendent Donna Hofmeier said it was possible one of the drivers had run a red light, which would form part of the investigation.

She said while the incident was an absolute tragedy, fortunately, there had been no passengers in any of the vehicles.

"It's always tragic that you leave home and you don't come back because of such an accident," the superintendent said.

"Even though we're still in COVID lockdown and the traffic volume is low, people still need to obey the road rules and obey the law."

The death was the ninth fatality on ACT roads this year. It followed the death of a 70 year-old cyclist on a bike path on Lake Tuggeranong last month.

Detective Acting Superintendent Hofmeier thanked the bystanders for their assistance and extended condolences to the family of the man who had died.

Welfare and chaplaincy support was being provided to first responders on Wednesday afternoon.

The man who died at the scene has been identified, but no further details will be provided until his family had been contacted, police said.

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