Fatal train crash in Wales linked to low track adhesion
Investigators cite low track adhesion in fatal Wales train crash
Investigators probing a fatal train crash in Wales have discovered evidence indicating one of the trains may have slid while attempting to brake. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) noted that the track conditions near the collision site led to “relatively low” adhesion between wheels and rails. Preliminary evidence suggests that the crash near Talerddig in Powys happened at about 15mph around 7.26pm on Monday.
A man in his 60s lost his life, while four others sustained serious injuries. Eleven more people required hospital treatment for their injuries. The deceased’s family has been notified. Both trains involved were Class 158 units operated by Transport for Wales (TfW).
It appears that the 6.31pm service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth overshot its stopping point and collided with the stationary 7.09pm service from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury. The RAIB stated: “Initial inspection of the track near the collision point revealed low wheel/rail adhesion, suggesting the train may have experienced wheel slide while braking.”
Passenger dies in Talerddig / Powys train crash in Wales. First fatality in how many years?
If there's one myth this incident debunks, it's that ETCS giving longer braking distances/sections does f**k all to stop low adhesion slides.https://t.co/WveL6Vb5w0 pic.twitter.com/fABDnY8UFw
— Chris Date (@cmpd_date) October 22, 2024
“This aspect remains under investigation. Our inquiry is in its early stages, and further updates will be provided once more evidence is gathered and analysed.”
Network Rail reported that one of its railhead treatment trains, which targets autumn leaf fall, had passed along the line where the crash occurred on Sunday night. The incident took place on the Cambrian line, a single-track route in a rural area near a passing loop where trains travelling in opposite directions can pass.
Earlier on Monday, TfW had informed passengers that services were moving at reduced speeds through Dovey Junction station on the same line due to reports of “extremely slippery” tracks from previous trains. The operator has suspended services on the separate Heart of Wales line from Tuesday “until further notice” due to “poor rail conditions.”
Autumn leaves significantly disrupt rail services each year when they adhere to damp rails and become compressed by train wheels, forming a slippery layer akin to black ice on roads, reducing traction.
Speed restrictions are often imposed to mitigate accidents, such as the collision near a tunnel in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in October 2021, which injured 13 passengers and a driver. In that incident, a South Western Railway (SWR) train slipped on crushed leaves, sliding past a stop signal and colliding with a Great Western Railway service. The SWR train was a Class 159, similar to the 158s involved in the recent crash.
Railway engineer Gareth Dennis remarked that modern safety systems on Britain’s railways make collisions between trains “very rare.” He noted that investigators would closely examine whether “low adhesion” between the wheels and track was a factor. Dennis also mentioned that the failure of the European Train Control System (ETCS) could be another potential cause.
A passenger on one of the trains, Jonah Evans, 25, told Wales Online that the driver had warned them of the impending collision. He said: “The driver ran in, sat down, and told us to brace ourselves for a collision.”
Another passenger, Anthony Hurford, shared with BBC Breakfast: “The whole experience was brutal. We went from perhaps 40, 50, 60 miles an hour to a dead stop in an instant. I found myself on the floor with my laptop thrown ahead, wondering what had happened.”
Emergency responders, including fire services, British Transport Police from Birmingham, and three helicopters, attended the scene. Medical personnel checked numerous passengers. Despite the impact, both trains remained on the tracks. The RAIB will release further updates as more evidence is collected and analysed.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh emphasised: “Safety on our railways is my primary concern, and we are working swiftly with Transport for Wales and Network Rail to understand what happened and how to prevent future incidents.”
The last fatal collision on Britain’s railways occurred in August 2020, when a ScotRail train derailed after hitting a landslip in heavy rain in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, resulting in the deaths of a passenger and two crew members. The Cambrian line east of Machynlleth will remain closed while specialists investigate the collision.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Perspective Media reports that investigators suspect a train involved in a fatal crash may have slid while braking due to low track adhesion, highlighting ongoing investigation and safety concerns.(read more)
- Inkl reports on a fatal train crash in mid Wales, where investigators suspect low adhesion between wheels and rails caused one train to slide while braking, leading to a collision.(read more)
- Railmagazine reports on a Mid-Wales train crash, attributing poor rail adhesion to the head-on collision, with one fatality and 15 injured, and ongoing investigation by RAIB.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What caused the train crash in Wales?
Evidence suggests low adhesion between wheels and rails caused one train to slide while braking.
How many people were affected by the train crash?
One person died, four sustained serious injuries, and eleven others required hospital treatment.
Which trains were involved in the crash?
Both trains were Class 158 units operated by Transport for Wales.
What are the investigators focusing on in the crash investigation?
Investigators are examining low wheel/rail adhesion and the potential failure of the European Train Control System (ETCS).
What has been done in response to the crash?
Services on the Heart of Wales line have been suspended, and the Cambrian line remains closed for investigation.
