POLICE are investigating following a fatal collision near Orange on Tuesday night.

About 9.10pm emergency services responded to reports of a collision between two vehicles on the Mitchell Highway, about 2km east of Lucknow.

On arrival officers from Canobolas Local Area Command found the male driver of a van had died.

Police have been told the driver of a utility, a man, left the area shortly after the collision.

Early investigations indicate that the van and utility have collided head on while driving in opposite directions on the Mitchell Highway, flipping the utility onto its roof.

A crime scene has been established and will be examined by Metropolitan Crash Investigators.

The Mitchell Highway has now been reopened after being closed for a number of hours.

Police are appealing for anyone that witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators to contact Orange Police Station on 02 6363 6399 or Crime Stoppers.

Police conducted a search of the area for the driver of the utility, however were unable to locate him.

He was described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 30s, wearing maroon tracksuit pants and a grey jumper.