A passenger has reported feeling a "strong jolt" as a train crashed into a fallen tree on a Powys line.

The passenger on the 15.52 service from Welshpool to Newtown praised the skilled response of the driver who appears to have managed to avoid the train being derailed.

The passenger told the County Times: “We hit a tree that fell on the tracks.

“The front carriages were jolted quite badly and the staff member doing announcements said it was only due to the driver's experience we didn't derail.

“Engineers are currently working under the train to try and fix the front of the train.”

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Passengers have been stuck for two hours while teams try and retrieve the train and the passengers.

“Coaches are on standby and we are waiting to see if we will move forward to Newtown or back to Welshpool,” added the passenger.

“A staff member walked up to get an update as the engine is back on.

“Hopefully she will know shortly what the plan is, forwards to Newtown or backwards to Welshpool.

“She said we may have to squeeze into the back carriages and be towed back to Welshpool if they can't fix these carriages. It's been over two hours now

Along with the long wait, the passenger said there had been no functioning facilities on the service.

“There's been no flushing toilet, no working toilet doors and unfortunately no trolley on this train so some of the older passengers have been struggling a bit,” added the passenger

“Some Welshpool high school students have been ferrying messages for people and holding the broken toilet doors shut bless them, they've been a treasure.

"Apparently we are able to leave in the next ten minutes to Newtown, then coaches from Newtown will take people the rest of their journey. A ten minute trip has ended up almost three hours."

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A Transport for Wales spokesperson said: "We can confirm that our 14.08 service from Birmingham International to Aberystwyth has struck a tree between Welshpool and Newtown.

"The train is currently on hold, there are no injuries and our teams are assessing the damage. 

"We're now working to get our customers home safely and as soon as possible."