Rail crash investigators give major update after trains collide in Wales

Rail crash investigators have issued an update after two trains collided in Powys last month, resulting in the death of a passenger. David Tudor Evans, 66, who was known as Tudor, died after two Transport for Wales (TfW) trains collided head-on near Talerddig in Powys at 7.26pm on October 21.

While no official cause of death has been revealed, it is suspected he died from a heart attack. Four others were seriously injured in the crash, while 11 others needed hospital treatment.

An investigation into what happened was launched immediately and on Tuesday, November 5, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) issued an update saying that sand hoses were blocked on one of the trains. This system, similar to anti-lock brakes, is supposed to discharge sand when wheel slide is detected during braking. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

They said an initial investigation had found that the westbound train 1J25 had been due to stop in the loop at Talerddig to allow eastbound train 1S71 to pass. Initial analysis of data from the on-train data recorder (OTDR) fitted to train 1J25 showed that the driver applied service braking to slow the train as it neared the loop at Talerddig.

Around 40 seconds after the first service brake application, the OTDR records an emergency brake demand being made. This emergency brake demand remained in place until the collision. The report said: "OTDR data shows that wheel slide started during service braking and was constant during emergency braking."

The report continued: "Train 1J25 then entered the loop at Talerddig. Although the train slowed while passing through the loop, it did not stop before passing the block marker positioned near the exit. The train subsequently exited the loop, rejoined the single line, and continued to travel for around 900 metres on the descending gradient, before colliding with train 1S71."

It said there was "conflicting evidence" relating to the speed of the trains at the point of collision. Initial analysis indicated that train 1J25 was travelling at between 24km/h (15mph) and 39km/h (24mph), while train 1S71 was travelling at around 10km/h (6mph) in the opposite direction.

The report added: "RAIB is continuing to analyse evidence relating to the collision speed, which remains an area of ongoing investigation."

Following the accident, RAIB said it took measurements of wheel/rail adhesion levels at various locations from the approach to Talerddig loop to the point of collision. These found levels of wheel/rail adhesion that were low.

The report said: "An inspection of the automatic sanding system fitted to train 1J25 after the accident showed that the sanding hoses on the leading vehicle of this train (which would have been active at the time of the accident) were blocked and apparently unable to discharge sand."

The investigation continues and the body said it would seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident. It will also consider:

• the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them
• the level of wheel/rail adhesion present from the approach to Talerddig loop to the point of collision
• the status and performance of the braking, wheel slide protection and sanding systems on train 1J25
• the behaviour of both trains during and following the collision
• Transport for Wales’ policies relating to low wheel/rail adhesion and how it managed the risk of low adhesion on the Cambrian line
• Network Rail's policies relating to low wheel/rail adhesion and how it managed the risk of low adhesion on the Cambrian line
• the processes used to assess and control the risk of overrun on the Cambrian line
• any relevant underlying factors, including any actions taken in response to previous relevant safety recommendations.

Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.