Stonehaven Train Crash: Investigation Launched As Three Dead In ‘Landslip’ Derailment

Stonehaven Train Crash: Investigation launched as three dead in ‘landslip’ derailment.

Emergency crews launched a huge rescue operation at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, after the train derailed this morning in a crash that is believed to have killed the driver

Three people have died, one person is feared missing and six people are injured after a train derailed in Scotland as an investigation is launched into the tragedy.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has branded it an “extremely serious incident”

A huge emergency services operation was launched after the train plummeted down an embankment, with thick smoke seen billowing from the crash site.

More than 30 emergency vehicles and an air ambulance are at the scene in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, after the smash, which was reported at 9.40am on Wednesday morning.

Onlookers have described a “massive emergency response” after the train derailed.

British Transport Police confirmed three people have died, with the train driver believed to be one of the fatalities.

His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.

Officers are continuing to work to inform the families of the other two people who sadly died.

Six other people have been taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be serious.

British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Eddie Wylie said: “This is a tragic incident and first and foremost our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have very sadly died this morning.

“We remain on scene alongside our emergency service colleagues, and a major incident operation has been underway. I would like to reassure the public that this was not a busy service, and from CCTV enquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for. However, once the area has been made safe then a full and thorough search will be conducted, which is likely to take some time.

The fire service has sent 12 appliances to the scene

“I know many people will understandably have questions, and we will be working closely alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road to establish the full circumstances of how the train came to derail.”

HM Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser said: “We are saddened by today’s incident and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected.

“ORR inspectors are on site at Stonehaven, assisting in the preliminary investigation.

“We will work with other agencies, including the emergency services, to find out exactly what happened and identify the causes of this tragic incident.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has shared her condolences. She said: “My deepest condolences are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.

“I have just been updated by Network Rail and the emergency services on the ongoing operation. My thanks go to them, and my thoughts remain with everyone affected.”

The train had set off from Aberdeen shortly after 6.30am, but is believed to have been forced to turn around after encountering a land slip.

As it returned, it is understood to have encountered a second land slip.

Nearby Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has reported a major incident.

The train involved was the 6.38am Aberdeen to Stonehaven service, which had four carriages.

A Coastguard helicopter has also landed in the area

It is understood that the locomotive and three carriages derailed, and slid down an embankment.

Investigators believe it may have been caused by a landslip, with parts of the line affected by flooding.

Ms Sturgeon tweeted: “This is an extremely serious incident.

“I’ve had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated. All my thoughts are with those involved.”

The tragedy happened on the east coast of Scotland

Firefighters at the scene of this morning’s tragedy

The stretch of rail where the crash happened is on the Dundee to Aberdeen line.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the derailment as a “very serious incident”.

He wrote: “I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected. My thanks to the emergency services at the scene.”

Local MP Andrew Bowie said there had been severe flooding in the hours leading up to the tragedy.

Firefighters at the scene of the derailment

Boris Johnson has described it as a ‘very serious incident’

He said: “The situation was really bad this morning, the River Carron, the main river which flows through it, had burst its banks and the heavy rain had caused flooding in the centre of Stonehaven and lots of the side streets leading off it.

“Luckily, the water receded incredibly quickly and the river has peaked and is going down.

A huge emergency services operation has been launched

A huge emergency services operation was launched (Image: BBC)
“Obviously none of us expected there to be such a serious incident as a rail derailment at the same time, but it just goes to show how damaging the bad weather can be.”

He added: “I don’t think speculation is helpful at this stage. We obviously don’t know why the derailment took place, but obviously we have suffered terrible weather here.”

BBC journalist Ben Philip, who is at the scene, posted on Twitter: “An air ambulance is in attendance.

Smoke is seen billowing from the crash site

Thick smoke is seen billowing from the crash site near Stonehaven

“A lot of smoke is coming out of the tree line where the railway track runs. Ambulances arriving by the minute.”

ITV’s Chris Harvey said there had been a “massive emergency response”.

Train operator ScotRail posted a message on Twitter shortly after 6.30am warning that services across Scotland would be disrupted due to “extremely heavy rain flooding”.

A video shared on Facebook at 7.30am shows heavy flooding in Stonehaven.

Stonehaven sits on the east coast, south of Aberdeen.

Mick Lynch, the assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said: “RMT is aware of the major incident at Stonehaven and our reps are liaising directly at senior level with both Scotrail and Network Rail.

Around 30 emergency vehicles at the scene of the derailment

“Our priority at this time is to support our members, their colleagues and their families and to do all that we can to assist the rescue operation which RMT members are currently involved in.

“The facts behind this incident will need to be established in due course but at this stage we are focused on support and assistance and our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A report was received of a train having derailed near Stonehaven at 9.40am on Wednesday, August 12.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-train-derails-after-falling-22508782