Train crash that killed one man and injured four others could have been avoided

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Train crash that killed one man and injured four others could have been avoided2 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleSara DafyddBBC WalesRAIBA report has made nine recommendations including improving the safety of carriages for passengersA head-on fatal collision between two trains in mid Wales could have been avoided, an investigation has found. One passenger died and four other people were seriously injured when two trains collided in the village of Talerddig, Powys, in October 2024. An investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has concluded the crash would not have happened if one or both of the automatic and manual sanding systems - which increase wheel adhesion to the rails - had been activated.

Transport for Wales (TfW) and Network Rail said that while incidents of this nature were "extremely rare", they would consider the report's recommendations to "help prevent a similar incident". Tudor Evans from Capel Dewi in Aberystwyth was travelling home from a holiday in Italy when he died on the westbound train. The 66-year-old was a passenger in the rear carriage of the train to Aberystwyth, as were other people who were seriously injured in the crash just before 19:00 on 21 October, 2024.

The Details

The driver of the Shrewsbury train was also seriously injured – the RAIB said he was in the process of leaving the cab when the crash happened and became trapped. The trains, both operated by Transport for Wales, were travelling on the Cambrian Line. Most of the Cambrian Line is single track but there is a section of dual track near to where the crash happened called the Talerddig Loop.

The trains were meant to pass each other in the loop but, on the night of the collision, the train heading towards Aberystwyth was unable to stop despite the brakes being fully applied. Family photoTudor Evans, 66, died when the two trains crashed at the Talerddig LoopThe RAIB said the train slid through the loop and rejoined the single-track section, continuing towards a slope heading for the train coming from the opposite direction. As it slid down the hill, the train gathered speed and collided head on with the train heading towards Shrewsbury.

The RAIB investigators found that, at the point of impact, the Aberystwyth train was travelling at 24mph, and the Shrewsbury train at just 6mph – the driver of the Shrewsbury train had managed to slow down after being warned by the signaller that the other train had failed to stop in the loop. However, due to the failed sanding systems and low wheel-rail adhesion, the speed "was such that the deceleration required to slow the train for the loop could not be sustained".

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.