Wales train crash: Passenger dead and 15 in hospital after collision in Powys

A passenger has died and 15 others have been taken to hospital after two trains collided in Mid Wales on Monday evening.

The incident happened near the village of Llanbrynmair in Powys at 7.29pm.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a man died and said 15 others were taken to hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

It said all other passengers were evacuated from both trains.

The man who died was a passenger on one of the trains, Transport for Wales has confirmed.

British Transport Police said officers were called after reports of "a low-speed train collision involving two trains".

Paramedic and fire and rescue services also went to the scene, police said.

Nick Millington, Transport for Wales's route director for Wales, confirmed a passenger had died in the "slow speed collision".

"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," he added.

"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."

The Rail Accidents Investigations Branch (RAIB) confirmed it deployed a team to the site of the collision at Talerddig.

"Our inspectors remain on site today and are working to gather evidence," it added.

'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."

Mr Edwards confirmed the Wales Air Ambulance and two Coastguard helicopters were also in attendance.

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.

"I would like to thank the emergency services for their response and have asked to be kept informed of any developments."

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.

(c) Sky News 2024: Wales train crash: Passenger dead and 15 in hospital after collision in Powys