Emergency services have raced to a scene in Wales after two passenger trains collided on a remote line.

British Transport Police officers were called to the Cambrian line near Llanbrynmair, Powys, at 7.29pm after the trains had crashed into each other at low speed.

As a result, the line between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth was closed and is expected to remain so until the end of the day.

Coastguard helicopters have been spotted above the incident site and appear to be lighting the way for paramedics, fire and rescue, and Dyfed Powys Police officers at the scene.

A number of road ambulances and an air ambulance are also said to be in attendance at the ongoing incident.

The main A470 trunk road in Talerddig has also been closed by police, who have told motorists to avoid the area and find alternative routes for their journey. It is not expected to open until the morning at the earliest.

Network Rail said the two trains involved were the 6.31pm Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 7.09pm Transport for Wales service from Macyhnlleth to Shrewsbury.

A witness told Cambrian News that a few people had suffered injuries on board his train and claimed one person had been airlifted to hospital.

He said: ‘There was a train that was stopped and the other train couldn’t stop.

‘The driver ran in and sat on a chair and said brace yourselves – we’re about to hit a train.

‘Someone lost their teeth, cracked ribs.’

Passengers from both trains were seen boarding replacement buses just after 11pm.

A joint statement from Network Rail and Transport for Wales said: ‘Emergency services are responding to an incident near Llanbrynmair in Powys, Mid Wales, involving two trains – the 18.31 Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 19.09 Transport for Wales service from Macyhnlleth to Shrewsbury.

‘The line is closed as they carry out their work. 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 via National Rail Enquiries.’

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers were called to the line near Llanbrynmair at 7.29pm today (21 October) 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.’ 

A police statement said: ‘Dyfed-Powys Police is in attendance at an incident involving two trains on the line near Llanbrynmair, Powys.

‘A call reporting a low-speed collision was made at just before 7.30pm.

‘Paramedics, fire and rescue, and British Transport Police are all in attendance.

‘The incident is ongoing.’

Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan says her thoughts are with those involved in the rail collision.

Posting on X, she said: ‘My thoughts are with all those involved in the rail incident in Powys earlier this evening.

‘I would like to thank the emergency services for their response and have asked to be kept informed of any developments throughout the night.’