A man was killed and 15 people were hurt when two trains collided in mid-Wales.

       Police, fire crews and the ambulance service were called to the scene of the crash near Llanbrynmair, in Powys, just before 7:30pm on Monday.

       Locals reported a large emergency services presence including road ambulances and an air ambulance.

       A coastguard helicopter was also at the scene, as well as firefighters and police.

       The trains were said to have been travelling at a low speed before the collision.

       Supt Andrew Morgan, of the British Transport Police (BTP) said: “We can sadly confirm a man has died following this evening’s incident.

       “We extend our deepest sympathies to his loved ones, alongside everyone else impacted and specialist officers continue to provide support.”

       He said the BTP was working with emergency services and the rail industry.

       All services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury were cancelled on Monday night.

       A joint statement from Network Rail and Transport for Wales said the trains involved were the 6:31pm from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 7:09pm from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.

       It added: “Our main priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues, and we are doing all we can to support the emergency services as they respond to the incident.

       “We would encourage passengers to plan ahead and check journeys before travelling.”

       Anthony Hurford, an eye witness who was travelling to Shrewsbury on the train, 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, 60 miles an hour, 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.”

       Incident ‘ongoing’

       A BTP spokesman said: “Officers were called to the line near Llanbrynmair at 7:29pm today to reports of a low-speed train collision involving two trains.

       “Paramedics, fire and rescue, and Dyfed Powys Police are all in attendance and the incident is ongoing.”

       Dyfed Powys Police said the A470 at Talerddig is also closed because of an “emergency incident”.

       National Rail said in an online statement to customers: “Rail replacement transport is in operation between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth, also between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth.

       “Due to road closures, rail replacement transport are unable to call at Caersws station until further notice.

       “Please note rail replacement may experience delays and disruption due to emergency services on the main road.”