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Whitland train crash: Lorry driver, 48, is arrested | Whitland train crash: Lorry driver, 48, is arrested |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The driver of a hay lorry hit by a train on a level crossing in Carmarthenshire has been arrested. | The driver of a hay lorry hit by a train on a level crossing in Carmarthenshire has been arrested. |
Seven people on the Milford Haven to Manchester service suffered minor injuries near Whitland at 09:50 GMT. | Seven people on the Milford Haven to Manchester service suffered minor injuries near Whitland at 09:50 GMT. |
Passengers were led to safety and shuttle buses are now running between Milford Haven and Carmarthen. Engineers are assessing the damage. | Passengers were led to safety and shuttle buses are now running between Milford Haven and Carmarthen. Engineers are assessing the damage. |
British Transport Police (BTP) said a 48-year-old local man was being held on suspicion of endangering safety. | British Transport Police (BTP) said a 48-year-old local man was being held on suspicion of endangering safety. |
Some passengers said they were amazed no-one was seriously hurt. | Some passengers said they were amazed no-one was seriously hurt. |
Five people were taken to hospital after the crash. | Five people were taken to hospital after the crash. |
Arriva Trains Wales said just under 60 passengers were on its 09:10 Milford Haven to Manchester service when the crash happened at the Llanboidy level crossing on a minor road near a spot called Crossing Cottage. | Arriva Trains Wales said just under 60 passengers were on its 09:10 Milford Haven to Manchester service when the crash happened at the Llanboidy level crossing on a minor road near a spot called Crossing Cottage. |
BTP's sector commander for Wales, Sandra England, said: "Our investigation is continuing into the cause of the collision, including piecing together exactly how the vehicle came to be on the tracks at the time. | BTP's sector commander for Wales, Sandra England, said: "Our investigation is continuing into the cause of the collision, including piecing together exactly how the vehicle came to be on the tracks at the time. |
"As part of that investigation, the driver of the vehicle, a 48-year-old man from Llanboidy, Whitland, has been arrested this afternoon on suspicion of endangering safety. | "As part of that investigation, the driver of the vehicle, a 48-year-old man from Llanboidy, Whitland, has been arrested this afternoon on suspicion of endangering safety. |
"He has been taken to a police station in Haverfordwest, where he is assisting my officers with their enquiries. | "He has been taken to a police station in Haverfordwest, where he is assisting my officers with their enquiries. |
"Measures are now in place to remove the vehicle from the tracks but in the meantime, the road on both sides of the crossing remains closed." | "Measures are now in place to remove the vehicle from the tracks but in the meantime, the road on both sides of the crossing remains closed." |
Passenger Skip Maloney told BBC Wales of the moments leading up to the crash. | Passenger Skip Maloney told BBC Wales of the moments leading up to the crash. |
"The [train] driver slowed down just before we hit," he said. | |
'Completely crushed' | 'Completely crushed' |
He said he carried out first aid on a woman sat behind him but no-one suffered serious injuries. | He said he carried out first aid on a woman sat behind him but no-one suffered serious injuries. |
"I think everyone was suffering from shock a bit," he added. | "I think everyone was suffering from shock a bit," he added. |
Juan Giner who was travelling home to Spain said: "Everything was fine and suddenly the train stopped in a very strong way - very dramatically. | Juan Giner who was travelling home to Spain said: "Everything was fine and suddenly the train stopped in a very strong way - very dramatically. |
"The train continued for 100 yards moving the lorry along. | "The train continued for 100 yards moving the lorry along. |
"It's incredible that the driver of the train survived because the whole of his room was completely crushed. | "It's incredible that the driver of the train survived because the whole of his room was completely crushed. |
"I'm really thinking this could be an incredible tragedy." | "I'm really thinking this could be an incredible tragedy." |
Emergency repairs | Emergency repairs |
Network Rail said all passengers had been led to safety. | Network Rail said all passengers had been led to safety. |
A spokesperson said: "Engineers are currently assessing the damage to the rail infrastructure and train respectively. | A spokesperson said: "Engineers are currently assessing the damage to the rail infrastructure and train respectively. |
"Emergency repairs will be carried out once investigation is completed." | "Emergency repairs will be carried out once investigation is completed." |
Work has started to prepare for emergency repairs and a crane has been commissioned to lift the lorry away from the track. | |
Network Rail engineers are expected to work through the night to restore services to normal as quickly as possible. | |
Train services between Carmarthen and Milford Haven have been cancelled and an amended service will be provided for by Arriva Trains Wales from Wednesday morning. | |
Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or Arriva Trains Wales before starting their journey. | |
A spokesperson for the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said it had an inspector on site. | A spokesperson for the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said it had an inspector on site. |
"ORR will work with the BTP and other agencies to find out exactly what happened and quickly identify the causes of this incident," they added. | "ORR will work with the BTP and other agencies to find out exactly what happened and quickly identify the causes of this incident," they added. |
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