Stonehaven train crash could have been prevented, inquiry finds

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 05:03 · Archive

A fatal accident inquiry concluded that three men who died in a train derailment in Scotland in 2020 would still be alive if a drain had been built correctly.

Three men died when a train derailed near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire on 12 August 2020. Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury were killed after the Aberdeen to Glasgow service hit debris which had washed onto the line during exceptionally heavy rainfall. The train was travelling at 73mph at the time.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry held in Aberdeen found that the drain which led to the debris accumulating had not been constructed and installed in accordance with its design. Sheriff Lesley Johnston concluded that failures in the drainage system's construction by now-collapsed firm Carillion, and in Network Rail's documentation of the system, contributed to the tragedy. The sheriff said that precautions could have been taken which 'might realistically have avoided the accident'.

In 2023, Network Rail was fined £6.7m for a series of failings before the crash, including maintenance and inspection failures and failing to warn the driver that part of the track was unsafe or to instruct him to reduce speed. Sheriff Johnston paid tribute to the train driver, saying his actions 'cannot be faulted' on the day. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch made 20 safety recommendations in 2022, and the rail network has since made improvements in preparing for extreme weather, including greater use of aerial technology to survey tracks for debris.

How it is being reported

• Track record failure cost lives as Stonehaven crash 'could have been prevented'Train driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died following the derailment near Carmont, on August 12, 2020.Daily Record · 5 Nov, 04:30
• Fatal train crash could have been avoided if drain was built correctly - sheriffThree men died when a train derailed near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire following heavy rain in 2020.BBC Scotland · 4 Nov, 12:30
• Stonehaven train crash that killed three men 'could have been prevented'Train driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the derailment of the Aberdeen to Glasgow service on August 12, 2020.Daily Record · 4 Nov, 12:30

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

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