Man dies and 15 people injured after mid Wales train crash involving two Transport for Wales services

A man has lost his life, and 15 individuals have been hospitalized following a collision between two Transport for Wales passenger trains on the Cambrian Line on Monday night.

On Monday, just before 7:30 PM, there was a minor collision between the 1831 Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service and the 1909 Machynlleth to Shrewsbury service. Both trains consisted of single 158 units and the incident occurred at Talerddig.

A variety of emergency services responded at the location, including British Transport Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, and HM Coastguard. Additionally, teams from Network Rail and the broader railway sector were also present.

BTP confirmed that the two trains were involved in a slow-speed crash, with police arriving at the location at 7:29 PM.

A representative stated, "Unfortunately, we must confirm that a man has passed away as a result of the accident. His relatives have been notified, and his family is receiving assistance from trained officers."

Fifteen more individuals have been admitted to the hospital with injuries that are not considered to be life-threatening or likely to cause long-term effects.

"All remaining passengers have been safely removed from both trains."

Superintendent Andrew Morgan stated, “Unfortunately, we can confirm that a man has lost his life due to the incident that occurred this evening. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, as well as to all others affected. Specialized officers are on hand to provide assistance.”

The British Transport Police are quickly collaborating with emergency services and the railway sector to investigate what led to this accident. As a result, residents can expect to see more police officers in the area in the next few days.

A representative from both Network Rail and Transport for Wales verified the trains that were part of the accident, noting that one passenger had lost their life and that the injured individuals were receiving care at local hospitals.

The spokesperson stated, "Our primary concern is for the family and friends of the individual who has passed away, as well as everyone else affected by this event."

The Cambrian railway to the east of Machynlleth will be shut down as specialized teams carry out their investigations. We strongly advise passengers to avoid this area of the network. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who responded to the situation and assisted our passengers and staff during this difficult time.

"We're collaborating with various agencies, including emergency services, to investigate the details of this incident, and they have our complete backing."

Martin Frobisher, the director of safety and engineering at Network Rail, expressed his deep sorrow over the train accident that took place in Wales last night. He extended heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted by this unfortunate event, including passengers, crew members, and their families. Frobisher mentioned that they are collaborating closely with emergency services and a multi-agency team to thoroughly investigate the situation and uncover the reasons behind the incident.

"Our main focus right now is to provide aid to those affected and to help investigators figure out what led to the accident. Serious train accidents are uncommon, and we are committed to making them even less frequent."

The Welsh Ambulance Service dispatched eight ambulances to the location, along with two paramedics from the Cymru High Acuity Response Unit, one advanced paramedic, two operational managers, a member of the Search and Rescue Service, and a team specializing in hazardous area responses.

A representative commented, "The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service provided advanced critical care using four helicopters from the Wales Air Ambulance charity and two vehicles."

A representative from the Rail Accident Investigation Board stated: “We have initiated an investigation into the crash involving two passenger trains at Talerddig that occurred yesterday. We sent a team of inspectors to the scene last night, and they are still there today, working to collect information that will help determine what led to this unfortunate incident.”

In response to the announcement, Ken Skates, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, stated that the rail line to the east of Machynlleth will stay closed as inquiries are ongoing.

He expressed his deep appreciation for the emergency services that responded to the incident and assisted both our passengers and staff.

"Our top priority remains the safety of our passengers and staff. Transport for Wales is collaborating with various agencies, including emergency services and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), to determine the cause of this incident. They have my complete backing in this effort."

Russell George, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Montgomeryshire, expressed his condolences, saying, "I’m thinking of the family of the man who tragically lost his life, as well as those who were hurt. It's clear that there are numerous questions about what led to this accident, but at this moment, it's crucial that the investigators are permitted to carry out their duties."