Train and lorry in crossing crash

An investigation is under way after a train collided with a lorry near a rail crossing at Welshpool in Powys.

The 1033 BST Arriva service from Birmingham New Street to Aberystwyth collided with the lorry at 1213 BST, say British Transport Police.

The train is believed to have been doing 70mph when the driver spotted the lorry. He applied emergency brakes but "clipped" the rear of the lorry.

Police said both drivers were shaken, but there were no other injuries.

Officers said the train did not derail but it is not yet clear how the vehicle came to be in the location near the manual crossing.

British Transport police officers are working closely with Dyfed- Powys police to find out what happened.

Services disrupted

Arriva Trains Wales said in a statement that the train service was immediately terminated and the train was taken onto the depot at Machynlleth where the damage will be assessed.

The 1132 Aberystwyth to Birmingham service was cancelled and other services were disrupted as a result of the incident.

However, replacement transport was organised and services began running again at 1500 BST and are slowly returning to normal.

"Arriva Trains Wales would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers by this incident," the company said.

"Fortunately there were no serious injuries to passengers or train crew reported."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version