Two people have been airlifted to hospital after a semi-trailer collided with a coal train and burst into flames at a level crossing in North Queensland this morning.

A QR spokesperson said the incident occurred about 10.15am at a level rail crossing on Koolachu Road at Gregory River, about 15 kilometres north-west of Proserpine.

An RACQ-Central Queensland Rescue spokesperson said the semi-trailer burst into flames on impact.

The driver was found 100m away in canefields was believed to have sustained serious chest injuries, she said.

A Queensland Fire and Rescue spokesperson said the train driver sustained a collarbone injury and compound leg fracture.

Both had been airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital, the spokesperson said.

Two locomotive engines were pulling the coal bins and up to six bins were upended on impact, the RACQ-CQ Rescue spokesperson said.

The incident also sparked a grassfire, which fire crews were able to extinguish.