A passenger has died, and 15 others were taken to the hospital after two trains collided in Mid Wales on Monday evening.
The incident occurred near the village of Llanbrynmair in Powys at 7:29 p.m. Police confirmed that a man, a passenger on one of the trains, died, while 15 other passengers sustained injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life-altering.
Dyfed-Powys Police and British Transport Police responded to the collision, which was described as a “low-speed train collision.” Emergency services, including paramedics and fire and rescue teams, attended the scene. The Wales Air Ambulance and two Coastguard helicopters were also called to assist.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) deployed a team to the site to gather evidence. Their inspectors are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision. Superintendent Andrew Morgan extended his condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and assured that specialist officers are providing support to those affected.
Eyewitness Ifan Edwards, who lives nearby, described the scene: “By the time we got out, a policeman had put up a road closure sign, and we overheard on the radio that there had been a train incident. We could see the trains and the emergency services arriving. The whole valley was glowing with blue lights.”
A joint statement from Network Rail and Transport for Wales confirmed that the collision involved two services: the 6:31 p.m. train from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 7:09 p.m. train from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury. The railway line remains closed, and passengers are advised to check National Rail Enquiries before traveling, as services may be canceled or revised.
Wales First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed her concern on social media, writing, “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.”
Russell George, the Member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, where the crash occurred, also shared his sympathies, stating, “My thoughts are with the family of the man who tragically lost his life, as well as those who were injured. There are many questions about how this accident happened, but it is important that investigators are allowed to do their work.”
Investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing.