A man has died and 15 others have been rushed to hospital after two trains collided on a remote railway line in Wales.
Emergency services rushed to the scene near Llanbrynmair, Powys, after two passenger trains collided on the Cambrian line at 7.29pm.
Dyfed-Powys police officers swarmed the area, along with British Transport Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard crews.
Police confirmed that a man, whose age was not specified, was killed in the collision.
Another 15 people were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, police said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene near Llanbrynmair, Powys, after two passenger trains collided on the Cambrian line at 7.29pm.
Dyfed-Powys Police officers swarmed the area, along with British Transport Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard crews
Not long after 7:30 p.m., emergency services responded to the area
There are no longer any police on site and all other passengers have been evacuated from both trains and taken home on rail replacement buses.
As a result of the crash, the line between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth is closed.
The A470 main road in Talerddig has also been closed by police, who have told motorists to avoid the area and find alternative routes for their journey. The store is not expected to open until early Tuesday morning.
A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: ‘We can confirm that 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 police officers from Dyfed-Powys, along with British Transport Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and rail industry agencies, called to the railway before the train. 7:30 PM.
‘Unfortunately we can now confirm that a man has died following the collision. His next of kin have been informed and his family is 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.
‘Although we are no longer on site, we will continue to work with our colleagues from the emergency services and transport agencies as investigations into the incident continue.’
A road has been closed after two low-speed trains collided on the Cambrian line just outside Llanbrynmair at 7.29pm.
Network Rail said the two trains involved were the 6.31pm Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 7.09pm Transport for Wales service from Macyhnlleth to Shrewsbury.
Chief Inspector Andrew Morgan said: “We can sadly confirm that a man has died following this evening’s incident. We extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones, along with all others affected, and specialist officers continue to provide support.”
‘British Transport Police, together with our colleagues from the emergency services and the rail sector, are working quickly to understand the circumstances leading to this collision. Residents will therefore see an increased police presence in the area in the coming days.”
Network Rail said the two trains involved were the 6.31pm Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 7.09pm Transport for Wales service from Macyhnlleth to Shrewsbury.
A witness told it Cambrian news that a few people had been injured on board his train and claimed that one person had been taken to hospital.
He said: ‘There was a train that was stopped and the other train couldn’t stop.
“The engineer ran in, sat down on a chair and said, brace yourself, we’re about to hit a train.
“Someone has lost their teeth and has broken ribs.”
As a result of the crash, the line between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth is closed. (file image)
Passengers from both trains were seen boarding replacement buses just after 11 p.m.
A joint statement from Network Rail and Transport for Wales said: ‘Emergency services are responding to an incident near Llanbrynmair in Powys, Mid Wales, involving two trains – the 6.31pm Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the Transport for Wales service from 7.09pm from Macyhnlleth to Shrewsbury.
‘The line is closed while they carry out their work. Our main priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues, and we are doing everything we can to support the emergency services in their response to the incident.
‘We would encourage passengers to plan ahead and check their journeys before traveling via National Rail Inquiries.’
Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan says her thoughts are with those involved in the railway collision.
On X she said: “My thoughts are with everyone involved in the railway incident in Powys earlier this evening.
‘I would like to thank the emergency services for their response and have asked to be kept informed of developments throughout the night.’
