Stonehaven train derailment: Three dead after Sturgeon declares ‘extremely serious’ incident in Scotland amid severe flooding
Follow how the day unfolded after crash in area that has seen heavy flooding
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Three people have died and six others injured after a train derailed in Aberdeenshire.
Dozens of emergency service vehicles and an air ambulance attended the scene near Stonehaven where the ScotRail train crashed around 9.40am on Wednesday.
The train was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven, made up of a locomotive and four carriages, and it is thought to have derailed amid heavy rain and flooding.
The train driver and conductor were reportedly among those killed.
Boris Johnson has said the fatal crash must “never happen again” as he joined Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, in paying tribute to the victims.
The PM also called for a probe into the impact of “substantial rainfall on vulnerable infrastructure” amid fears the crash was caused by a landslip due to torrential rain.
Ms Sturgeon described the incident as “tragic” and thanked the emergency services for their efforts.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Johnson said: “One of the reasons that this accident is so shocking is of course that this type of accident on our railways is thankfully so rare.
“But our thoughts are very much with those who’ve lost their lives, their families and of course those who’ve been injured in the derailment.
“I’ve talked to first minister Nicola Sturgeon about what has happened and clearly the most important thing now is that the British Transport Police, who are in charge of the investigation, find out exactly what happened, and that we all work together with Network Rail, with everybody else who’s responsible to make sure that nothing like this happens again.”
He added: “As I understand there was about a month’s worth of rainfall in a very short period which undoubtedly aggravated the problem there.
“But I think what we’ll have to do is wait and see what the British Transport Police come up with, what exactly they identify as the cause of this derailment and working with Network Rail, with everybody, make sure that nothing like this happens again.”
Writing on Twitter, Ms Sturgeon 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 transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said his department was on hand to provide any support needed to the Scottish government, adding lessons would be learned from the incident.
He said: “The safety of passengers and staff is and has always been our upmost priority and we will ensure that lessons are learned from this tragic incident once the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has carried out its investigation.”
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Last time a train driver died in crash was 2004
The last time a train driver was killed in a crash on Britain's railways was at Ufton Nervet, Berkshire, in November 2004, the Office of Rail and Road said.
Seven people died when a London to Plymouth First Great Western train collided with a car that had been deliberately driven onto a level crossing.
Those killed included the driver of the car - chef Brian Drysdale, 48, of Reading, Berkshire - and the driver of the train, Stanley Martin, 54, from Torquay, Devon.
A train driver died in an accident at a depot in Tyseley, West Midlands, in December last year, but he was not driving a train at the time.
The man was hit by another train shortly after leaving his cab.
Rail Delivery Group says it is providing support
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the rail industry, said: "We are saddened to learn about the incident in Aberdeenshire today and our thoughts are with those affected.
"While an investigation will follow, our current focus is to provide every support we can in the immediate response."
Three feared dead and one missing
Three people are now believed to have died after the train derailment in Aberdeenshire, and one person is feared missing, sources told the PA news agency.
Transport secretary still waiting for clearer picture of 'very, very tragic' crash
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said he was still waiting for a clearer picture of the "very, very tragic" incident at Stonehaven.
He told the BBC: "My thoughts go out to the families, the friends, all those who have been involved in what's happened today.
"We are still waiting for a clearer picture in terms of the numbers of those involved, indeed the numbers who may have lost their lives as well."
Transport secretary to visit scene of crash
Grant Shapps said he would be visiting the scene of the crash on Thursday.
"I will be going there tomorrow to understand the situation first hand and offer every possible assistance," he told the BBC.
He also told the broadcaster: "There has been some very extreme weather and concerns about landslips.
"One of the things I have done today is convene emergency meetings in order to ensure that we look into that specifically along the line in other locations, just to make certain, while leaving the Rail Accident Investigation Board to do their job in the site itself."
Mr Shapps added: "We know that derailments, thankfully - and certainly lives lost - are very rare. You have to go back to 2007 to see the last life lost in this way."
Asked about reports the driver is among the dead, Mr Shapps said: "I don't want to pre-empt information which will come out from the police and other sources.
"It's clearly a very serious incident."
BREAKING
Three people, including the driver, have been pronounced dead at the scene of the train derailment in Stonehaven and six people have been taken to hospital, British Transport Police said.
British Transport Police statement in full
British Transport Police said officers were called to to the line in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire at 9.43am on Wednesday following a report that a train travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street had derailed.
"Officers remain on scene this afternoon alongside the ambulance service, fire brigade and colleagues from Police Scotland," BTP said.
"Very sadly despite the best efforts of paramedics, we can confirm that three people have been pronounced dead at the scene.
"While formal identification is yet to take place, the driver of the train is very sadly believed to have died. 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 people have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, which thankfully are not believed to be serious."
Sturgeon offers condolences to three killed in crash
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, tweeted: "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."
Train crash 'was not a busy service', transport police say
Chief Superintendent Eddie Wylie, of British Transport Police, 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 under way.
"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.
"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."
Train drivers union officers thoughts for those killed
Kevin Lindsay, Scotland organiser for the Aslef train drivers union, said: "Our thoughts tonight are with all those who died, and who were injured, in the tragic accident at Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
"While it is too early to speculate about the causes of the crash, it would seem that the appalling weather conditions in the area - the torrential rain - resulted in a landslip which, in turn, caused the train to derail.
"The train, which was a service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, rolled down a steep embankment, and caught fire.
"Despite the best efforts of the driver, and crew, and the subsequent efforts of the emergency services who attended, we understand that three people died and several more have been taken to hospital.
"Our thoughts tonight are with these men and women and their families.
"There will be an investigation into the causes of the crash, and we will learn those lessons, as we have in the past, because the railway is one of the safest modes of transport.
"The UK has some of the safest railways in the world, and Scotland is the safest part of the UK, but that does not, of course, diminish the impact of today's crash on all those involved."
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