Poor rail adhesion has been identified at the site of Monday night’s crash on the Cambrian Line that left one passenger dead and 15 people needing hospital treatment.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has said an initial inspection of the track on the approach to the collision site between Talerddig and Llanbrynmair has found evidence of “relatively low” wheel/rail adhesion.
The findings suggest the 1831 Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth service, which was supposed to have stopped in the passing loop at Talerddig, “may have entered into wheel slide when braking”, causing it to slip down the 1-in-56 gradient and into the 1909 Machynlleth-Shrewsbury.
The two trains collided head-on at 1926, 800 metres west of the passing loop.
An RAIB spokeswoman said: “Initial evidence suggests that collision occurred at a speed of approximately 24 km/h (15 mph).”
One passenger suffered a suspected heart attack and died, while 15 other people – including Transport for Wales staff on board the two services – were injured.
RAIB said four people were seriously hurt and 11 more needed hospital treatment for other injuries sustained in the crash.
“Additional RAIB staff and specialist equipment have arrived at the site of the accident throughout today and we continue to work in conjunction with the British Transport Police, the Office of Rail and Road and the railway companies involved to secure the necessary evidence to support our independent safety investigation,” the spokeswoman added.
“This will include examining the condition of the train and downloading its ‘black box’ data recorder, inspecting the track, analysing data from railway signalling and radio systems, and interviewing witnesses.
“RAIB’s initial inspection of the track on approach to the point of collision found evidence that wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low, suggesting that the train may have entered into wheel slide when braking. This will be an area of ongoing investigation.
“Our investigation is in its very early stages and an additional update will be available in the coming days once RAIB has gathered and analysed further evidence.”
On Tuesday the BTP confirmed that the man who died was in his 60s.
Teams from the Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire Service, Dyfed Powys Police, and the HM Coastguard were also called to the scene following the crash.
Buses will replace trains between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth until at least the end of Wednesday October 23.
Elsewhere, services on the Heart of Wales Line have been suspended “until further notice”.
TfW has said this is due to “poor rail conditions”.
Comment as guest
Comments
No comments have been made yet.