Interim report on Stonehaven train crash released
Part of the drainage system located at Carmont installed in 2012 had not been inspected since - the report also confirmed the train had been travelling within speed limit.
Last updated 19th Apr 2021
The rail accident investigation branch have released their interim report into the Stonehaven train crash last August.
The report highlighted "The crest drainage system was completed in 2012, but only the section closest to the track, from catchpit 18 to the outfall, was listed on Network Rail’s drain maintenance database at the time of the accident. RAIB has found no evidence that the drain upslope of catchpit 18 was inspected between its construction and the accident."
The RAIB also concluded that the accident was caused by stones being washed out onot the track after severe weather, that there was no evidence of a train fault and inspections had been carried out on the tracks.
The report also made mention of a group of contractors working on the nearby bridge making a escape as derailed vehicles tumbled down the embankment.
"Two people were standing by the river when they heard a 'loud rumbling noise from above' and ran" the report said.
Train driver's Union ASLEF welcomed the report.
Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF's organiser in Scotland, said: "Blame for the accident has been laid firmly at the door of Network Rail for failing to maintain the area around the track. It was the landslip – the debris washed onto the track – which caused the train to derail, with the subsequent loss of life, injuries, and catastrophic consequences.
We are urging Network Rail to examine every mile of track for which it is responsible, to ensure something like this can never happen again."
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “We remain absolutely committed to learning lessons from the tragedy last summer that cost the lives of Brett McCullough, Christopher Stuchbury and Donald Dinnie. We welcome RAIB’s interim report and we continue to cooperate with all ongoing investigations as we seek to understand what happened.
“We are being led by world-renowned experts as we tackle one of our biggest challenges, adapting our transport system to cope with the long-term changes in weather in the face of a rapidly changing climate.”