— A head-on collision between two passenger trains on a single-track railway line in central Wales has left one person dead and 15 others hospitalized, authorities said Tuesday.
The crash occurred Monday evening at approximately 7:30 p.m. when a Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service collided with another train from Machynlleth near Llanbrynmair, Powys.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the fatality early Tuesday morning. “Sadly, we can now confirm a man has died following the collision,” a police spokesperson said. “His next of kin have been informed and his family are being supported by specialist officers.”
Among the injured, the train driver suffered head injuries and was knocked unconscious, while one passenger experienced a heart attack. Officials stated that none of the injuries sustained by the 15 hospitalized individuals are considered life-threatening or life-changing.
The incident prompted a large-scale emergency response, including British Transport Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard, and railway industry personnel. Emergency workers equipped with headlamps conducted detailed inspections of the damaged carriages throughout the night.
British Transport Police described the incident as a “low-speed train collision” on the Cambrian line. The crash led to the immediate suspension of all services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.
Network Rail engineers were dispatched to the scene, while rescue helicopters provided aerial illumination for ground responders. The nearby A470 highway at Talerddig was closed due to the emergency response.
Transport for Wales implemented rail replacement services but noted they were unable to serve Caersws station. All passengers from both trains have been successfully evacuated from the scene.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the collision. The incident marks a significant disruption to the regional rail network and represents one of the most serious railway accidents in Wales in recent years.
