One dead after two trains COLLIDE in head-on crash with 15 rushed to hospital with injuries
Date: 2024-10-22
ONE man has died after two trains collided on a single track line – with 15 more people rushed to hospital.
The driver suffered head injuries and one passenger had a heart attack after the crash in Llanbrynmair, Wales, on Monday evening.
The Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service collided head-on with another from Machynlleth at 7.30pm, knocking the driver unconscious.
Ambulances and a helicopter scrambled to the scene in Llanbrynmair, Powys, with pictures showing them working at the site.
Workers wearing headlights poured over the crumpled train to inspect the damage.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that one person had died in the horror smash – but did not reveal his identity.
They 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 train line 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.
“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.”
All services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury were suspended after the smash.
The “low speed” accident happened on the Cambrian line just outside Llanbrynmair in mid-Wales.
Network Rail engineers were also scrambled to the scene.
Helicopters hovered above the line and beamed light down for first responders, Cambrian News reports.
The A470 at Talerddig is also closed due to an “emergency incident”, Dyfed Powys Police said.
Transport for Wales said: “Due to an emergency incident between Machynlleth and Caersws, rail replacement is in operation.
“However, we are unable to call at Caersws.”
British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to the line near Llanbrynmair at 7.29pm today to reports of a low-speed train collision involving two trains.
“Paramedics, Fire and Rescue, and Dyfed Powys Police are all in attendance and the incident is ongoing.”
