Passenger killed after two trains crashed was man in his 60s

A man who died after two trains crashed in Wales was in his 60s, British Transport Police have said.

Some 15 others were taken to hospital with injuries after a train travelling from Shrewsbruy to Aberystwyth and the other from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury crashed into each other yesterday evening.

Giving a statement to reporters, chief Inspector Jon Cooze, said: ‘Sadly, a man in his 60s has died following the collision.

‘The circumstances leading to his death are currently under investigation.

‘His next of kin have been informed and the family will receive ongoing specialist support from specialist officers.

‘While formal identification has not taken place he is not believed to be a member of rail staff.

‘Our thoughts remain with his loved ones and we kindly ask that they’re given privacy at this very difficult time.’

The Welsh Ambulance Service said it took seven people to hospital by ambulance, while Dyfed Powys Police said a total of 15 people were taken to hospital with injuries.

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Anthony Hurford, a witness travelling to Shrewsbury, told BBC Breakfast: ‘The word that keeps coming to my head is just brutal really.

‘Just going from, I don’t know how fast we were going, maybe 40, 50, 60mph, to nothing in the blink of an eye.

‘Somehow my body bent the leg of a table and ripped it off its bolts attached to the wall. Suddenly I was on the floor with my laptop strewn ahead of me wondering what the hell had happened.

‘We tried to stop at the lights. At the top of the hill there’s a signal that I guess would’ve been a passing place and for whatever reason the train wouldn’t stop.

‘There must’ve been 30/40 people from fire (service), there was British Transport Police who had come from Birmingham, there were three helicopters, people had come from north and south Wales as far as I’m aware. I was checked by three or four different medics.’

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