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

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

Key Points

• Three killed and six injured
• Photos show flooding in area near crash
• Sturgeon says her thoughts are with those affected

[12 August 2020 17:40 · Samuel Osborne]

Footage shows aftermath of crash

[12 August 2020 18:28 · Samuel Osborne]

Rail Accident Investigation Branch to send team of inspectors to site of crash

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said it has sent a team of inspectors to the site of a derailment near Stonehaven.

It added: "We have launched an investigation and will provide an update in the coming days."

[12 August 2020 18:52 · Samuel Osborne]

Statement from managing director of Scotland's Railway

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's Railway, said: "We are working closely and quickly with the emergency services on the incident near Stonehaven.

"Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this tragic event, particularly the families of those who have lost their lives. The railway in Scotland is often referred to as a family, and it's one that is hurting today.

"We have teams on site and we will do all we can to support everyone affected. We are working closely with all the relevant authorities to establish the cause of this incident."

[12 August 2020 19:25 · Samuel Osborne]

Transport secretary gives 'deepest condolences'

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said: "I express my deepest condolences to the friends and families of those affected in the tragic incident near Stonehaven.

"My department is in close contact with all relevant parties, including our counterparts in the Scottish government, to provide any support that is required.

"I want to pay tribute to the emergency services and rail workers, who have responded so quickly in these distressing circumstances, and I will be visiting Stonehaven tomorrow to thank them in person and see what assistance we can provide.

"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."

[12 August 2020 19:49 · Samuel Osborne]

Boris Johnson says services must work together to 'make sure nothing like this happens again'

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, has said his thoughts are with those who have lost their lives at Stonehaven.

He told Sky News: "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 we... make sure that nothing like this happens again."

[12 August 2020 20:04 · Samuel Osborne]

Train conductor among victims of crash

One of the three people who died in the rail derailment in Scotland was the train conductor, the RMT union has told the PA news agency. 

RMT senior assistant general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The confirmation that there have been three fatalities in the Stonehaven derailment, including the driver and one of our conductor members, is the most dreadful news and this trade union's thoughts are with the families, colleagues and friends of those who have lost their lives in this tragedy.

"RMT will unite to provide support, assistance and solidarity at this distressing time. Safety on the railway has to be an absolute priority and this union will be working with the various agencies to establish the facts behind this disaster which has sent shock waves right throughout our industry."

[12 August 2020 20:11 · Samuel Osborne]

Prime minister says country will look at impact of substantial rainfall on vulnerable infrastructure

Boris Johnson said it would be a good idea to look at the impact of substantial rainfall on vulnerable infrastructure.

He told Sky News: "I do think it's probably a very good idea to look at the effect of substantial rainfall on all our vulnerable infrastructure everywhere.

"And 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."