2024 Talerddig train collision

2024 Talerddig train collision
Units 158824 (top) and 158841 (bottom) were involved in the accident.
Map
Details
Date21 October 2024 (2024-10-21)
19:26 BST (18:26 UTC)
LocationTalerddig, Powys
Coordinates
CountryUnited Kingdom
LineCambrian Line
OperatorTransport for Wales Rail
Service
Incident typeHead-on collision
CauseUnder investigation
Statistics
Trains2
Deaths1
Injured15
Location diagram
To Shrewsbury
 Route of Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth train
Talerddig passing loop
Collision
Route of Machynlleth - Shrewsbury train
To Machynlleth
This diagram:

On 21 October 2024, two passenger trains operated by Transport for Wales Rail were in a head-on collision approximately 800 m (1⁄2 mile) west of Talerddig passing loop, Powys, United Kingdom. Fifteen people were injured, and one passenger subsequently died.

Collision

[edit]

At 19:26 BST (18:26 UTC) on 21 October 2024,[1] two passenger trains were involved in a head-on collision approximately 800 m (1⁄2 mile) west of Talerddig passing loop.[1] The trains were the 18:31 service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 19:09 from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury. Fifteen people were taken to hospital with injuries, four of them serious, but all of which were described as not life-threatening or life-changing; one passenger subsequently died.[1][2][3] He was reported to have had a heart attack.[4] The driver of the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth train entered the salon to warn passengers of the impending collision.[5][6] The collision was reported to have occurred at approximately 24 km/h (15 mph).[1]

Both trains were Class 158 diesel multiple units,[7][8] numbers 158824 and 158841.[9] The accident occurred when the Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth service was unable to stop in the passing loop at Talerddig. It subsequently collided with the Machynlleth - Shrewsbury train.[4] Unit 158824 sustained severe damage to one of its cabs.[10]

Response

[edit]

The Welsh Ambulance Service, EMRTS Cymru, British Transport Police, Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Coastguard and Wales Air Ambulance helicopters also attended the scene.[6][8] The A470 was closed as a result of the accident.[2] Passengers from the two trains continued their journeys by bus.[6] The railway between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury was closed as a result of the accident.[11] The two trains were separated on 24 October and taken to Machynlleth by rail the next day.[9]

Investigation

[edit]

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is responsible for investigating railway accidents in the United Kingdom. A team of inspectors was despatched to the accident site.[12] A formal investigation into the accident was opened on 22 October.[13] The RAIB's initial inspection of the track found evidence of low wheel/rail adhesion, and they stated that the possibility the train may have suffered wheel slide while braking would be investigated.[1] Investigators completed their on-site investigations by 25 October,[9] at which point the re-opening of the line on 28 October was announced.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e RAIB (22 October 2024). "Collision of two passenger trains at Talerddig, Powys, Wales". GOV.UK. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b Duggan, Craig; Matthews, Antonia (21 October 2024). "Man dies, 15 injured, after two trains collide". BBC News Online. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Statement on rail incident - Llanbrynmair". British Transport Police. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b Stubbings, David (22 October 2024). "Mid-Wales train crash: Poor rail adhesion found on track approaching site of head-on collision". Rail. Bauer Consumer Media Ltd. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  5. ^ Bryan, Nicola (25 October 2024). "On board the 18:31 to Aberystwyth as it smashed into another train". BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Davies, Dylan (21 October 2024). "One dead, 15 injured following two-train collision on Cambrian Line". Cambrian Times. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  7. ^ Tonks, Phoebe. "Man dead as Powys train crash claims life of one victim and 15 more injured". Wales Online. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b Stubbings, David (22 October 2024). "Man dies and 15 people injured after mid Wales train crash involving two Transport for Wales services". Rail. Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Stubbings, David (25 October 2024). "Reopening date for Cambrian Line announced as trains involved in collision are removed". Rail. Bauer Consumer Media Ltd. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  10. ^ Buckland, Charlie (24 October 2024). "Family of man who died in train crash thank well-wishers". BBC News Online. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  11. ^ Network Rail [@NetworkRailWAL] (22 October 2024). "An update from Network Rail and Transport for Wales following the incident near Llanbrynmair in Powys, Mid Wales, on Monday evening" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Rail Accident Investigation Branch [@raibgovuk] (22 October 2024). "RAIB deployed a team last night to the site of the collision between two passenger trains at Tallerddig #Powys Our inspectors remain on site today and are working to gather evidence" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Rail Accident Investigation Branch [@raibgovuk] (22 October 2024). "We have launched an investigation into the collision of two passenger trains at Tallerddig #Powys yesterday. Last night we deployed a team of inspectors to the accident site. They remain on site and are working to gather evidence to understand what caused this tragic accident" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Leston, Ryan (22 October 2024). "How common are train crashes in Wales?". BBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
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