The horrific moments leading up to the fatal train collision in Wales have been recounted by shaken passengers. One man sadly lost his life and 15 others suffered injuries following the incident on the Cambrian Line at Llanbrynmair, Powys, which happened around 7:30pm yesterday.
Emergency services reported that a moving train crashed into one that was stationary. After the collision, witnesses captured footage of passengers evacuating the scene and later boarding buses arranged to replace the train service.
Just moments before the crash, an alarmed passenger revealed that the train driver sprinted through the carriages warning everyone to “brace” as he was powerless to stop the looming crash. Jonah Evans, 25, detailed that there were several injuries among the passengers, including one individual who required an airlift due to a suspected heart attack.
He relayed the chilling situation, stating: “There was a train that was stopped and the other train couldn’t stop. And the driver couldn’t get out the way with a train in front.”
“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. Because the driver told us it was happening, we could kind of get ready,” reports the Mirror.
In the aftermath, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the fatality but reassured that no other injuries appeared to be critical. A police spokesperson declared: “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 was swiftly launched following a tragic incident on the trainline, with Dyfed-Powys Police officers, British Transport Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard, and rail industry agencies arriving at the scene shortly 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.”
In addition to the fatality, “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.”
In their joint statement, Network Rail and Transport for Wales expressed their condolences: “Our first thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who has lost his life, as well as all the other people involved in this incident.”
The aftermath of the collision has led to the closure of the Cambrian line on Tuesday, with a Network Rail spokesperson stating: “The Cambrian railway east of Machynlleth will be closed while specialist teams continue their investigations, and we urge passengers not to travel to this part of the network. We’re extremely grateful to the emergency services who attended the scene and helped our passengers and staff in challenging circumstances.”
Wales’ First Minister, Eluned Morgan, expressed her concern over the rail accident in Powys and extended her gratitude to the rescue teams. Taking to social media, she commented: “My thoughts are with all those involved in the rail 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 any developments throughout the night.”
Local MP Steve Witherden also addressed the situation, informing constituents that “The A470 between Carno and Commins Coch is closed following a rail incident on the Cambrian Line near Llanbrynmair this evening and police are asking people to avoid the area. My thanks to the emergency services responding and my thoughts are with all involved.”
Details emerged after a report of a low-speed collision at about 7.30pm, prompting an intensive emergency operation involving paramedics, fire crews, and police, as well as the presence of four helicopters at a nearby field ahead of the train’s evacuation.
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