Stonehaven: serious injuries reported after train derails in Aberdeenshire

Three people have died following a major train derailment near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.

British Transport Police confirmed that three people, including the driver of the train, were pronounced dead at the scene, while six others have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 9.45am, where smoke could be seen billowing from the track amid reports of an engine fire and serious injuries.

Four passenger carriages came off the track at Carmont, just west of Stonehaven, where severe flooding had been reported following storms overnight, as a Scotrail high-speed train travelled from Aberdeen to Glasgow.

Emergency services at the scene of the derailment. Photograph: Newsline Media

About 30 emergency vehicles, including an air ambulance, were reported to be attending the scene, where some witnesses suggested on social media that the train had fallen down an embankment after running into a landslip.

Stonehaven map

North-east Scotland was badly affected by torrential rain and thunderstorms overnight. Network Rail Scotland released a video of flooding alongside warnings of a landslip at Carmont, which was tweeted only a few minutes after the derailment is believed to have taken place.

British Transport Police confirmed they were responding to the incident, stating: “Officers were called to the scene at 9.43am and remain there alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.”

The TSSA union said the train was the ScotRail 6.38am service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street and that there was no indication as yet as to what may have caused the accident.

Ambulances wait near the scene. Photograph: Michał Wachucik/AFP/Getty Images

Rail industry sources suggested the train had stopped ahead of a landslide around Carmont and planned to return north, but then hit a second landslip as it headed back to Stonehaven, which derailed the carriages. It is understood that 12 people were on board at the time, six passengers and six staff.

Describing the incident as “extremely serious”, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed before first minister’s questions that there were early reports of serious injuries, and that a major incident had been declared. She told fellow MSPs: “My immediate thoughts, and the thoughts of those across the chamber, are with all those involved.”

Boris Johnson said he was “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,” he added.

The UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said he had been briefed on the incident by Network Rail. He tweeted: “British Transport Police & Network Rail are on location, along with rail workers who were nearby. The UK government will provide every support. My thoughts are with those involved and their families.”

Torrential rain and thunderstorms overnight caused flooding , travel disruption and school closures on Wednesday morning.

Flooding in Stonehaven on Wednesday. Photograph: Martin Anderson/PA

The River Carron burst its banks and was pictured flowing through Stonehaven’s town centre.

NHS Grampian has opened a welcome centre in Aberdeen for family and friends affected by the incident. The health board’s chaplains will staff the centre and provide a direct link with A&E at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where visitors are not currently allowed under Covid-19 restrictions.

Mick Lynch, the assistant general secretary of the transport union RMT, 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.

“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.”