An investigation was under way today after a passenger train travelling at 70mph and carrying 114 people collided with a lorry as it left a Powys railway station.The collision happened on the Shrewsbury to Welshpool line shortly after 12.30pm yesterday and led to one person being treated for cuts and bruises. Delays were caused to later trains.
The service was back to normal by 3.30pm.
A spokeswoman for British Transport Police said: “The train involved was a 10.33am Arriva Trains Wales service from Birmingham New Street to Aberystwyth. It was believed to have been travelling at about 70mph.
“The driver applied his emergency brakes on seeing the lorry on the crossing but was unable to avoid a collision. The train is believed to have clipped the rear end of the lorry.
“The train and lorry driver were both shaken but not injured. Passengers were on board the train service but no injuries have been reported.”
The spokeswoman said no derailment had been caused but said it was still unclear how the lorry came to be on the crossing.
She added: “British Transport Police officers are working closely with Dyfed Powys Police in making inquiries to ascertain what happened.”
A spokeswoman for the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to the scene, a couple of miles east of Welshpool, just after lunchtime.
She said: “We received a call at 12.36pm to say that a six-wheel heavy goods vehicle had collided with a passenger train carrying 114 people.
“The collision was minimal considering what could have happened and thankfully everyone is safe. Network Rail are now dealing with the situation.”
Claire Loveday, spokeswoman for Arriva Trains Wales said: “Thankfully it was just a glancing blow between a lorry and a train and nobody was injured seriously.
“The line was closed for it to be cleared and replacement bus services were put on for passengers during that period.”
Dyfed Powys Police said they attended the scene to help make it safe and were now investigating the incident with the British Transport Police.
By Andrew Morris and Russell Roberts
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