'He raised his AK47 and cocked it': Our crew's close call en route to the MH17 crash site

Early this afternoon local time, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) announced that it and the Australian-Dutch team had finally made it to the MH17 crash site, the first visit in six days.

Once they had gone, we arrived, and it was obvious the site had just been the scene of a fierce battle.

Constant shelling had sparked fires and we witnessed fields where part of the plane’s wreckage lay going up in smoke.

We were within one kilometre from Ground Zero when were stopped at gunpoint by a very erratic young separatist rebel soldier.

He raised his AK47 and cocked it at our heads, thinking we were Ukraine forces.

READ MORE: Australian and Dutch experts reach MH17 crash site

There was screaming between both parties before he realised we were media, telling us to get out of the area as it was under attack.

It was obvious that his dug-in position on the side of the road had just been shelled. Trees had been shredded and branches were everywhere.

We turned around and got out. This just shows that the area may be safe one moment and outrageously dangerous the next.

The only way the international team can reach the site en masse is if a ceasefire is called; otherwise they can forget it.

For full coverage of the MH17 crash investigation, visit the 9NEWS MH17 live feed.