Driver 'among three feared dead' after train derails and 'bursts into flames' following ‘landslip’ near Stonehaven

It comes amid heavy rain and flooding in the area 

Three people are feared dead after a train derailed in Aberdeenshire.

Officials declared a major incident after the train came off the tracks near Stonehaven in north east Scotland on Wednesday morning.

Dramatic footage shows smoke billowing into the sky. The train is said to have burst into flames, with the cause of the incident believed to be a landslip.

Serious injuries have been reported, with sources reporting that three people are believed to have died. A driver is feared to be among them.

It is understood 12 people were on board, of which six were passengers and six staff.

Announcing that the derailment was being treated as a "major incident", Nicola Sturgeon told First Minister’s Questions that there were “early reports of serious injuries”.

“My immediate thoughts and the thoughts of those across the chamber are with all those involved.”

She had written earlier on Twitter that it was an "extremely serious incident".

Unions called the crash a “tragedy”.

The train involved was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven, made up of a locomotive and four carriages. It is understood that the locomotive and three carriages derailed, and slid down an embankment.

Video posted to social media by Network Rail Scotland earlier on Wednesday showed a landslip on the track at Carmont, believed to be close to the scene of the crash. It has not been confirmed whether the landslip was directly related to the derailment.

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.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said six ambulances, special operations response teams, an air ambulance, patient transport vehicles and the Scotstar emergency service are at the scene.

The Scottish Government’s resilience room is also now operational, and the First Minister said she will convene a meeting this afternoon.

Train derails near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Keir Starmer were among those to share messages of support on Twitter.

“I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected," said Mr Johnson.

"My thanks to the emergency services at the scene.”

Scottish Conservative leader in Holyrood Ruth Davidson also expressed her party’s sympathies with those involved in the derailment in Stonehaven.

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.

Flooding in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire where a nearby train has derailed
PA

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

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie confirmed that the local hospital had declared a major incident.

“It’s obviously a terrible situation, a train derailment, the emergency services are on the scene," Mr Bowie said.

"I’ve already spoken to Grant Shapps, who has spoken to Network Rail and the British Transport Police who are obviously investigating and assisting.

Stonehaven is served by ScotRail trains heading north to Aberdeen and south to Edinburgh and Glasgow
Sky News

“I am aware that Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has declared a major incident.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he met urgently with Network Rail for a briefing on the Stonehaven derailment.

“British Transport Police & Network Rail are on location, along with rail workers who were nearby," said Mr Shapps on Twitter.

"The UK Government will provide every support. My thoughts are with those involved and their families.”

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman added: “Officers are currently responding to an incident on the line in Stonehaven.

“We were called at 9.43am and are on scene alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.”

The incident comes after heavy flooding was reported in the area.

Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it was sending an inspector to the Stonehaven accident site.

A spokesman said: “We’re aware of an incident involving a train derailment near Stonehaven.

“Emergency services are in attendance and an ORR inspector will be attending.

“We will work with Rail Accident Investigation Branch, British Transport Police and the emergency services to investigate the full circumstances of what has happened.”

Mick Lynch, the assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union added: “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.”

Stonehaven is served by ScotRail trains heading north to Aberdeen and south to Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is also a calling point for trains running between Montrose and Inverurie.

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