TRAIN CRASH IN WALES COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, INQUIRY FINDS

A head-on collision between two trains in the village of Talerddig, Powys, in October 2024 could have been avoided, according to an investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). One passenger died and four others sustained serious injuries in the crash on the Cambrian Line. The RAIB concluded that the collision would not have occurred if either or both of the automatic and manual sanding systems—which improve wheel adhesion to rails—had been activated. Transport for Wales and Network Rail acknowledged the findings and stated they would consider the report's recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

Tudor Evans, a 66-year-old passenger from Aberystwyth, died whilst travelling home from a holiday in Italy on the westbound train. The driver of the Shrewsbury train also sustained serious injuries when the crash occurred just before 19:00 on 21 October 2024. The two trains were scheduled to pass each other in the Talerddig Loop, a section of dual track on an otherwise single-track line. The Aberystwyth-bound train failed to stop in the loop despite the brakes being fully applied and slid onto the single-track section, gathering speed down a slope before colliding head-on with the approaching train.

The RAIB found that at the moment of impact, the Aberystwyth train was travelling at 24mph whilst the Shrewsbury train was moving at 6mph. The Shrewsbury train's driver had reduced speed after the signaller warned that the other train had failed to stop. However, the failed sanding systems and low wheel-rail adhesion meant the necessary deceleration could not be achieved.