A fatal incident occurred on Monday night in Wales when two trains collided, resulting in the death of one passenger. The British Transport Police (BTP) reported that an additional 15 individuals received medical attention in hospital after the accident, which took place in close vicinity to the Llanbrynmair village in Powys county just before 19:00. The injuries sustained by these individuals are not considered to be life-alteringly severe or mortal. The remaining passengers on board were evacuated safely.
The trains, both belonging to Transport for Wales (TfW), were acknowledged to be the 18:31 service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 19:09 service travelling from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury. One passenger on the Shrewsbury-bound service, Anthony Hurford, described the abrupt halt that caused him to fall.
According to him, the event unfolded so quickly that it knocked him off his feet, causing him to dismantle a table in the process. As he lay on the ground, amidst the chaos, he tried to comprehend what had just taken place.
Both Network Rail, the organisation in charge of the railway infrastructure in Britain, and TfW issued a joint statement, noting that the accident was a “low-speed collision” occurring on a single track in a rural location on the Cambrian line, near a loop that allows trains moving in opposite directions to pass each other.
Earlier in the day on Monday, TfW advised its passengers that services were operating at a slower pace through the Dovey Junction station due to reported “extremely slippery” track conditions. The operator was forced to suspend all services on the separate Heart of Wales line on Tuesday until further notice due to poor rail conditions. This sort of disruption is common during the autumn season when fallen leaves, adhering to damp rails, are compressed by train wheels, creating hazardous conditions.
A smooth, slippery layer analogous to black ice found on routes has been formed, causing a decrease in the grip of trains. To limit accidents, curbs on speed are quite often enforced. UK’s body in-charge of probing rail accidents, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, has confirmed its team of inspectors proceeded to the site of the crash on Monday evening, initiating their investigation.
Andrew Morgan, Superintendent of BTP, unfortunately affirms the loss of a man’s life due to the accident. To his grieving family and others affected, the organisation offers its heartfelt condolences, with specialist officers continuing to extend support. The deceased’s immediate family has been notified.
The last recorded rail accident in the UK that resulted in a passenger’s death following a collision was in August 2020, when a ScotRail carrier collided with a landslip amidst heavy rain at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. A passenger, the driver, and a conductor sadly lost their lives, while six additional individuals were injured.
For an in-depth examination of the collision, a sector of the Cambrian line to the east of Machynlleth will remain inaccessible. The investigation will be undertaken by proficient teams. – PA.