Train 'may have skidded on track' before crash in Wales that left one dead and 15 in hospital
Police were called to reports of "a low-speed train collision involving two trains" near Llanbrynmair in Mid Wales at about 7.30pm on Monday evening.
Wednesday 23 October 2024 13:14, UK
One of the trains involved in a crash that left one person dead and 15 others in hospital may have skidded on the track as it tried to brake, investigators have said.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has given the update after two trains were involved in a "low-speed" collision in the village of Talerddig in Powys, Wales, at 7.26pm on Monday.
Initial evidence suggests the collision occurred at a speed of approximately 15mph (24kph), the RAIB said.
It added: "The railway approaching Talerddig from each direction consists of a single track. To allow trains to pass each other a track loop is provided. These loops have points at each end and allow trains to enter a short length of track which lies alongside the single line."
The RAIB has said its team of inspectors who arrived at the scene found the "wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low" on the track approaching the "point of collision".
It added that this suggests one of the trains "may have entered into wheel slide when braking".
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a man in his 60s has died and 15 other people were taken to hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. All other passengers were evacuated from the trains.
The RAIB has said four of those who were sent to hospital suffered serious injuries.
Drivers were injured in the crash but it has not been reported whether they were among those taken to hospital.
The man who died was a passenger, Transport for Wales has confirmed.
Superintendent Andrew Morgan from the British Transport Police said it was too early to give a reason for the cause of death. His next of kin has been informed.
Superintendent Morgan also said there was an "incredible response" from the emergency services, with Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Wales Ambulance Service arriving at the scene.
The Wales Air Ambulance and two Coastguard helicopters were also in attendance.
The crash took place in a rural area, with Superintendent Morgan saying some emergency responders took more than two hours to arrive.
Some of the injured were taken to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth while some were taken to a hospital in Shrewsbury.
Nick Millington, Transport for Wales's route director for Wales, said of the victim: "We send our condolences to their families, obviously it's a very sad occasion. A number of other passengers were also injured and taken to hospital.
"Overnight, the emergency services have done a great job responding here and we're very grateful for everything that they've done.
"We're now in the process of investigating what's happened. This is a multi-agency investigation. That investigation is ongoing."
Superintendent Morgan said a "rigorous investigation" into the crash will "discover exactly what happened".
He said the RAIB will provide a "brief report" over the next couple of days but a longer report may not be available for some months.
.'Valley glowing with blue lights'
Ifan Edwards told Sky News he saw the emergency services go past his home.
"By the time we got out, a policeman was putting the sign 'Road closure' and we overheard on the radio that there was a train incident," he added.
"We came to this spot and we could see the trains and then all the other emergency services coming down.
"The whole valley was glowing with blue lights."
A joint statement from Network Rail and Transport for Wales said the incident involved the 6.31pm service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 7.09pm service from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.
The statement said the line was closed and added: "We would encourage passengers to plan ahead and check journeys before travelling, via National Rail Enquiries."
National Rail said the "operational incident" meant lines were closed and trains may be cancelled or revised.
Wales's first minister Eluned Morgan posted on X: "My thoughts are with all those involved in the rail incident in Powys."
The Welsh government's transport secretary Ken Skates added: "Transport for Wales are working closely with all agencies, including emergency services and RAIB, to understand how this incident happened and they will have my full support."
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Russell George, member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, the constituency where the crash happened, said his thoughts were with the family of the man who died and those injured.
"Clearly there are many questions about how this accident happened, but for now, it's important the investigators are allowed to do their work," he added.