I was on the Welsh train when it crashed into another locomotive - everything seemed normal but in the blink of an eye chaos broke out
A passenger on board a train that crashed into another locomotive in Wales has spoken of his horror after being flung from his seat in the blink of an eye.
A passenger on board a train that crashed into another locomotive in Wales has spoken of his horror after being flung from his seat in the blink of an eye.
Anthony Hurford was travelling on a Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth when it collided with an oncoming train at around 7pm on Monday.
One man died while a further 15 people have been taken to hospital after the crash near Llanbrynmair in Powys, although police said their injuries are not believed to be life threatening or life changing.
Mr Hurford recalled the moment of the brutal collision as the train went from travelling between 40 and 60mph to nothing in the blink of an eye.
He added that he was suddenly flung from his seat, before colliding with a table and ripping it off its bolts, ending up on the floor with my laptop strewn ahead of me wondering what the hell had happened.
Scenes from a head on collision after a pair of passenger trains collided into each other on the Cambrian line at around 7pm on Monday
Emergency services can be seen examining the extent of the damage, with one side of a train completely crushed
Anthony Hurford (pictured) was travelling on the Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth when it collided with an oncoming train
Mr Hurford told BBC Breakfast: The word that keeps coming to my head is just brutal really.
Just going from, I dont know how fast we were going, maybe 40, 50, 60 miles an hour, to nothing in the blink of an eye.
Somehow my body bent the leg of a table and ripped it off its bolts attached to the wall. Suddenly I was on the floor with my laptop strewn ahead of me wondering what the hell had happened.
We tried to stop at the lights. At the top of the hill theres a signal that I guess wouldve been a passing place and for whatever reason the train wouldnt stop.
There mustve been 30/40 people from fire (service), there was British Transport Police who had come from Birmingham, there were three helicopters, people had come from north and south Wales as far as Im aware. I was checked by three or four different medics.
All passengers have been evacuated from both trains following the crash that involved the Transport for Wales 6.31pm service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the Transport for Wales 7.09pm service from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.
BTP Superintendent Andrew Morgan said: We can sadly confirm a man has died following this evenings incident.
This image from Sky News shows one of the trains still stalled on the tracks earlier this morning
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. The crash took place near Llanbrynmair in Powys
We extend our deepest sympathies to his loved ones, alongside everyone else impacted and specialist officers continue to provide support.
He said the BTP are working hand in hand with emergency services and the rail industry to understand the circumstances leading up to this collision.
He added: Residents will see an increased policing presence in the area in the coming days as a result.
In a joint statement, the two organisations said: 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.
Were extremely grateful to the emergency services who attended the scene and helped our passengers and staff in challenging circumstances.
We are working closely with other agencies, including emergency services, to understand how this incident happened and they will have our full support.
They said the Cambrian railway west of Machynlleth will remain closed while specialist teams investigate the collision.
A road in Wales was closed last night after two trains collided at low speed on the Cambrian line just outside Llanbrynmair at 7.29pm on Monday
Emergency services swarmed the area not long after 7.30pm on Monday
Multiple emergency services, including the Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire Service, Dyfed Powys Police and the HM Coastguard, have been working alongside railway workers at the scene.
First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan said: 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.
According to Network Rail, leaf fall on the tracks every autumn can lead to a slippery layer on the rail equivalent to black ice on roads.
