Investigators examining a fatal crash involving two trains in Wales have found evidence suggesting one of the trains may have slid while braking.
A man died and 15 others were rushed to hospital after the pair of public transport vehicles collided into each other on the Cambrian line near Llanbrynmair, Powys, on Monday night.
It is believed the 6.31pm service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth travelled beyond where it should have stopped and hit the stationary 7.09pm service from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.
Dyfed-Powys Police officers swarmed the area just before 7.30pm, along with British Transport Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard crew members.
The force confirmed a man, in his 60s, died, four people were seriously injured and 11 more sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment.
An investigation has been opened into the incident and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the condition of the track on the approach to the collision point meant ‘adhesion’ between wheels and rails was ‘relatively low’.
A man died and 15 others were rushed to hospital after the pair of public transport vehicles collided into each other on the Cambrian line near Llanbrynmair, Powys
Pictured: The aftermath of the crash. There is no longer a police presence at the scene and all the other passengers have been evacuated from both trains and taken home on rail replacement buses
Pictured: Emergency workers at the scene. An investigation has been opened into the incident and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the condition of the track on the approach to the collision point meant ‘adhesion’ between wheels and rails was ‘relatively low
Initial evidence suggests the trains were both Class 158s operated by Transport for Wales (TfW) and the collision occurred at a speed of approximately 15mph.
The RAIB said: ‘RAIB’s initial inspection of the track on approach to the point of collision found evidence that wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low, suggesting that the train may have entered into wheel slide when braking.
‘This will be an area of ongoing investigation. Our investigation is in its very early stages and an additional update will be available in the coming days once RAIB has gathered and analysed further evidence.’
It was also suggested autumn leaves could have caused the wheels to slip.
Hours earlier, Transport for Wales told passengers services were running at reduced speeds because the track was ‘extremely slippery’.
Passenger Jonah Evans, 25, said: ‘The driver ran in and sat on a chair and said, “Brace yourselves, we’re about to hit a train!”
‘Someone lost their teeth, cracked ribs.’
Another passenger, Anthony Hurford, told BBC Breakfast: ‘The word that keeps coming to my head is just “brutal”, really.’
As a result of the crash, the line between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth was closed on Monday night.
The main A470 trunk road in Talerddig was also closed by police, who told motorists to avoid the area and find alternative routes for their journey until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm one person has died following a collision between two trains, which occurred near Llanbrynmair in Powys this evening.
‘A multi-agency response to the incident saw Dyfed-Powys Police officers, along with British Transport Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and agencies from the rail industry called to the trainline at just before 7.30pm.
‘Sadly, we can now confirm a man has died following the collision. His next of kin have been informed and his family are being supported by specialist officers.
‘A further 15 people have been taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening or life changing.
‘All other passengers have now been evacuated from both trains. Our thoughts are with the people and families involved in this incident.
Pictured: Emergency services assess the scene. Cllr Vaughan said: ‘It is a shock to the community. I was at home and heard the sirens and police cars going by so I knew it was something substantial’
Pictured: The damage caused when the trains collided
The two trains could be seen, through trees and farmland, still upright on the main line between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth
‘While we no longer have a presence at the scene, we will continue to work with our emergency services colleagues and transport agencies while enquiries into the incident are ongoing.’
Andrew Morgan, a British Transport Police Superintendent, said: ‘We can sadly confirm a man has died following this evening’s incident. We extend our deepest sympathies to his loved ones, alongside everyone else impacted and specialist officers continue to provide support.’
‘British Transport Police are working at pace, along with our colleagues in emergency services and the rail industry, to understand the circumstances leading up to this collision. Residents will see an increased policing presence in the area in the coming days as a result.’
