Train crash in Wales leaves one dead and 15 injured — latest travel updates in Wales latest UK News. When two trains crashed into each other in Wales.
The collision happened near Llanbrynmair in Powys on Monday evening and forced all passengers to be evacuated from both trains.
It involved the Transport for Wales 6.31pm service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the Transport for Wales 7.09pm service from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.
Train crash in Wales leaves one dead and 15 injured and caused havoc to the Welsh transport system
The 15 injured people were taken to hospital but their injuries were not thought to be life threatening or life changing.
British Transport Police and the rail industry are working together to investigate the cause of the collision.
Wales train crash passenger described ‘brutal’ crash
Anthony Hurford, a witness travelling to Shrewsbury, told BBC Breakfast: ‘The word that keeps coming to my head is just brutal really.
‘Just going from, I don’t know how fast we were going, maybe 40, 50, 60mph, to nothing in the blink of an eye.
‘Somehow my body bent the leg of a table and ripped it off its bolts attached to the wall. Suddenly I was on the floor with my laptop strewn ahead of me wondering what the hell had happened.
‘We tried to stop at the lights. At the top of the hill there’s a signal that I guess would’ve been a passing place and for whatever reason the train wouldn’t stop.
‘There must’ve been 30/40 people from fire (service), there was British Transport Police who had come from Birmingham, there were three helicopters, people had come from north and south Wales as far as I’m aware. I was checked by three or four different medics.’
Latest travel updates in Wales
Heart of Wales line closed until further notice
More bad news for rail passengers in Wales this morning.
In addition to the routes listed below which are facing disruption due to slippery lines, the Heart of Wales line has now been closed until further notice.
Rail replacement buses will run where possible, National Rail says.
Man killed in Talerddig train crash ‘was a passenger’
The man who died in a head-on collision between two trains in Wales last night was a passenger on one of the trains, the PA news agency understands.
Slippery rails cause delays across Wales
Slippery rails on the network means that some Transport for Wales routes are being disrupted today. As a result, trains may be delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
The following routes are impacted by this disruption:
Hereford and Abergavenny
Craven Arms and Llanelli
Chester and Wrexham General
Bidston and Wrexham Central
Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog
Full Transport for Wales statement after Talerddig train crash
A joint Transport for Wales and Network Rail statement published yesterday evening said: ‘Emergency services are responding to an incident near Llanbrynmair in Powys, Mid Wales, involving two trains – the 6.31pm Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 7.09pm Transport for Wales service from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.
‘The line is closed as they carry out their work. Our main priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues and we are doing all we can to support the emergency services as they respond to the incident.
‘We would encourage passengers to plan ahead and check journeys before travelling via National Rail Enquiries.’
A further joint statement added: ‘Our first thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who has lost his life, as well as all the other people involved in this incident.
‘We’re extremely grateful to the emergency services who attended the scene and helped our passengers and staff in challenging circumstances.
‘We are working closely with other agencies, including emergency services, to understand how this incident happened and they will have our full support.’
Buses replace trains all day today after train crash in Wales
All lines are currently closed between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury following the head-on train crash in the Talerddig area yesterday evening.
All Transport for Wales routes which run between Birmingham International or Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth are affected by the line closure.
Services between Machynlleth and Pwllheli are able to run as normal.
Rail replacement transport is in operation between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth / Aberystwyth (provided by Lakeside Coaches, Keanes Coaches, Lloyds Coaches and JKT International).
This disruption is expected to last until at least the end of service today.