Faults with train safety system, fatal crash investigation finds

A TRAIN which crashed into another, killing a passenger, missed its stopping point by more than 1km after skidding on the tracks, investigators have found.

- BY RUTH MOSALSKI

Tudor Evans, 66, died after two Transport for Wales (TfW) passenger services crashed on the line in October.

There was a head-on collision between two services. While one driver was able to leave their cab before the collision, the other could not and was trapped and seriously injured. Their train was moved 35 metres by the impact.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is responsible for conducting independent investigations into railway accidents in the UK and yesterday published an interim report of its findings into the crash.

Investigators found there were blocked sand delivery hoses on one of the trains, which should have released sand to help with friction and reduce any braking issues.

It said that at 7.26pm, on Monday, October 21, the 6.31pm service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth collided with the 7.09pm service running from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.

Both services were operated by Welsh Government-owned TfW and each was made up of two carriages.

The crash took place on the Cambrian Line, to the west of the passing loop located at Talerddig, Powys.

There were six people, including two staff, on the eastbound train and 31, including three staff, on the westbound service.

Mr Evans died and four people were seriously injured in the collision.

Neither train derailed, although significant damage was caused to the leading vehicles of both trains.

At the point of impact, the railway is single line and the Talerddig passing loop is designed so trains can pull in to allow services to pass.

On the night of the incident, the RAIB said the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service was due to use the loop to allow the eastbound train to pass.

It was braking as it approached, but was unable to stop within the loop, as intended.

When it re-entered the single line, it travelled 1,080m beyond its intended stopping point, before colliding with the other train.