Train derailment that killed three could have been avoided

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 19:51 · Archive

A sheriff has found that a 2020 train derailment near Stonehaven that killed three people could have been prevented if a drain had been built correctly.

Train 1T08 derailed near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, on 12 August 2020 after hitting debris that heavy rain had washed onto the line from a drain. Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury died from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. Six other passengers were injured.

A fatal accident inquiry led by Sheriff Lesley Johnson found the derailment could have been avoided if construction firm Carillion had built the drain according to its design specifications. The drain was constructed in two phases in 2011 and 2012 but deviated from the design in several respects. Problems included issues with piping and materials used, along with the addition of a 'bund', or ridge, which stopped the drain working as intended.

The sheriff also found that Network Rail had 'failed to ensure' the drain was constructed properly and in line with the drawings. Carillion had failed to prepare 'as built' drawings of the finished drain and provide them to Network Rail, while Network Rail had failed to ensure it received these. The Daily Mail reports that Network Rail was later fined £6.7 million in 2023 after admitting health and safety failings.

How it is being reported

• 'Avoidable': How an incorrectly built drain led to deadly rail crash that claimed three livesA train derailment which caused the deaths of three people could have been avoided if a drain had been built correctly, a sheriff has found.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 19:33
• Fatal train derailment could have been avoided, inquiry findsThree people died after the train left the tracksThe Independent · 4 Nov, 12:30

In this story: Brett McCullough · Donald Dinnie · Christopher Stuchbury · Sheriff Lesley Johnson · Carillion · Network Rail · Stonehaven · Aberdeenshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log