As it happenedended1597259504

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 

Samuel Osborne,Rory Sullivan
Wednesday 12 August 2020 15:45 BST
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Scotland train derailment: Emergency services on the scene

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.”

Follow our live coverage

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Hello and welcome to the Independent's liveblog of the train derailment in Aberdeenshire.

Adam Hamdani12 August 2020 12:48
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'One dead' in incident Sturgeon describes as 'extremely serious' 

At least one person is feared to have died after a train derailed west of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, sources have told the PA news agency.

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier described the derailment which occurred on Wednesday morning as an "extremely serious incident". 

Ms Sturgeon confirmed early reports that the incident had caused serious injuries.

Rory Sullivan12 August 2020 12:54
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Flooding in Stonehaven in north-east Scotland, where a nearby train derailed on the morning of 12 August, 2020. Martin Anderson/PA Wire

Rory Sullivan12 August 2020 12:58
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Sturgeon says her thoughts are with those involved in incident 

Nicola Sturgeon has tweeted that her thoughts are with those affected by the train derailment west of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. 

Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader in Holyrood, also added her party's sympathies with those involved.  

She said: "May I add the thoughts of my party to those already been expressed regarding the incident in Stonehaven today.

"It is clear that this incident is serious and it will have affected a number of families across Scotland.

"We think of them at this time and also those emergency workers who are currently in attendance."

Rory Sullivan12 August 2020 13:03
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Rail expert says 9 people on board train 

Richard Clinnick, the head of news at RAIL magazine, has said that 3 crew members and 9 passengers were on board the train that derailed earlier on Wednesday.

In a tweet, Mr Clinnick added that at least one passenger carriage was on fire following the incident.

The train that derailed was the 6.38am departure from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, according to an internet forum called RailUK Forums.

Rory Sullivan12 August 2020 13:15
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Nicola Sturgeon says there are early reports of serious injuries after train derailed

Samuel Osborne12 August 2020 13:35
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Fears of second fatality, sources say

The driver of a train which derailed in Aberdeenshire is believed to have died and there are fears of a second fatality, sources told the PA news agency. 

Samuel Osborne12 August 2020 13:37
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Labour leader says thoughts are with everyone involved

Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour party, said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the serious incident in Aberdeenshire.

"Thank you to all the emergency services."

Samuel Osborne12 August 2020 13:53
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Map shows area of crash

Samuel Osborne12 August 2020 14:08
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Train appears to have derailed near bend in tracks

Based on the smoke rising from the scene, the train in Stonehaven appears to have derailed near to a bend in the tracks close to Carmont.

The portion of railway has rivers running alongside and under it in some areas and footage shared on social media showed waterlogged tracks in the area this week.

Emergency services are using a field just north-west of the tracks to base their response.

The tracks are flanked by thick vegetation, with wooded areas to the south-eastern side.

Samuel Osborne12 August 2020 14:24

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