Inquest Reveals Man May Have Been Struck by Two Trains on Welsh Line

An inquest has heard how a man found dead beside a railway line in Carmarthenshire may have been struck by more than one train on a busy route.

The body of 42-year-old Matthew Thomas Graham Harries was discovered on the morning of 21 March 2025 near Llangennech, after a train driver on the Heart of Wales Line initially reported what he believed to be an animal lying by the track. A second driver soon confirmed it was a person, prompting an emergency response.

Mr Harries was pronounced dead at 10.05am. Proceedings at an inquest held at Llanelli Town Hall were told that his injuries were consistent with being hit by a train, with evidence suggesting the possibility of more than one impact.

Coroners’ officer Malcolm Thompson said Mr Harries, originally from Swansea, had been camping near the Loughor Estuary prior to his death. Investigations by Dyfed-Powys Police found no indication of foul play or involvement from a third party.

The inquest heard that he may have already been injured before a further collision occurred. Mr Thompson said Mr Harries "may have been lying down at the time [he was was killed] having been injured from a previous impact".

A post-mortem carried out at Glangwili Hospital by Dr Petya Nedeva found amphetamines present in his system at a lethal level. The examination concluded he died from multiple traumatic injuries consistent with a railway incident, with the drug linked to heightened risk-taking behaviour.

Assistant coroner Paul Bennett told the hearing that the absence of CCTV meant it was not possible to determine exactly how Mr Harries came into contact with the train or trains. He added there was no evidence to suggest the death was intentional.

Concluding the inquest, Mr Bennett said:

“Matthew Thomas Graham Harries died on March 21, 2025, close to the Morlais Tin Works railway crossing. He died as a result of traumatic injuries he sustained when he came into contact with one or more trains that were travelling on the line. The conclusion that I record is one of accidental death.”

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