CCTV footage has captured the moment a passenger train in Poland crashed through trailers carrying straw bales after a tractor driver stopped on the tracks.

The incident happened around midday on Monday (August 3) on a railway line in Czarlin, in the north of the country.

Videos released by Polish State Railways (PKP) show the tractor and trailers being driven under a closing barrier at a level crossing while the red warning lights are flashing.

The tractor then comes to a stop while the trailers are still on the railway tracks before the train with 500 people onboard crashed into them.

Polish State Railways (PKP) confirmed that fortunately nobody was injured in the incident.

Officials have alleged that the driver of the tractor was drunk at the time of the incident.

It has been reported that the driver was later charged by prosecutors and will face criminal proceedings.

"One irresponsible driver endangered the lives of 500 passengers, train crew, and other road users, and also caused disruptions to hundreds of travellers," PKP said in a social media post.

Passengers of the damaged train had to transfer to other trains to continue their journey.

Poland

PKP issued a reminder to the public that "on every crossing, the train always has the right of way".

It noted that the braking distance for a train can be up to a kilometre.

This means that even if the driver notices a hazard on the track, they may not be able to stop the train before it reaches it.

"Crossing the railway is not a place for bravado. Stop, look around.

"Apply the rules ruthlessly, pay attention to signs and signals. Never get behind the wheel after drinking," PKP added.