A PASSENGER died, and 15 others were treated for injuries after two trains collided on a rural line near Llanbrynmair, Powys, on Monday evening (Oct 21).

Witnesses described passengers being thrown to the floor, with images showing part of a crumpled carriage. Emergency services, including the Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire Service, and Dyfed Powys Police, responded swiftly to the scene.

The collision occurred on a single-track section of the Cambrian line, near a passing loop where one train should stop to allow the other to pass. It appears that the train that was supposed to stop was unable to do so, but the low-speed impact prevented any derailment. The incident took place around 7:29pm, approximately 800 metres west of Talerddig.

A joint investigation involving the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), British Transport Police, and Network Rail is underway to determine the cause. Early findings suggest that slippery conditions, potentially caused by fallen leaves, may have played a role in the collision. Network Rail invests heavily in clearing autumn leaves from tracks as they create conditions similar to black ice.

Passenger Jonah Evans, 25, said: “The driver ran in and told us to brace ourselves. Someone lost their teeth and cracked ribs, but because we had a warning, we could prepare.” Another passenger, Anthony Hurford, described the impact as “brutal,” recounting how the train stopped suddenly from a speed of 40-60 miles per hour.

Peter Carson, 67, who lives near the line, said: “We heard a loud bang and a grinding noise, which lasted a few seconds. At first, I thought it was an aircraft in trouble, but I now realize it was the sound of the trains braking.”

Plaid Cymru councillor Elwyn Vaughan noted that the single-track line is prone to leaf buildup but mentioned: “A dedicated leaf-clearing machine went through at lunchtime, which raises questions about what happened.”

A joint statement from Network Rail and Transport for Wales confirmed: “At 7:29pm on Monday (Oct 21), two Transport for Wales trains were involved in a low-speed collision near Llanbrynmair. Sadly, one passenger has passed away, and others are receiving treatment for injuries.”

RAIB investigators are examining the site, assessing train conditions, analyzing black box data, and inspecting the tracks. They aim to understand the circumstances leading up to the collision. The Cambrian line remains closed east of Machynlleth during the investigation.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “Safety on our railways is my absolute priority, and we are working to understand what happened to prevent such incidents in the future.” First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed her condolences: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the incident.”

All other passengers were safely evacuated, and the presence of emergency services is expected to continue as the investigation progresses.