Three dead after Scotland train incident
Three people have died and one person is said to be missing, after a train in Scotland was derailed by a landslip this morning.
The British Transport Police said three people had died at the scene, including the driver of the train. Six others were taken to hospital but their injuries were not thought to be serious, the statement added.
“”Very sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, we can confirm that three people have been pronounced dead at the scene,” the police said.
The Scottish government has declared the derailment as a major incident, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said this morning, as a number of people were said to be seriously injured.
Twelve people — six passengers and six staff — were aboard the four-carriage train, which went off course near Stonehaven.
A landslip was the suspected cause of the derailment, after heavy rain and flooding in the area overnight.
The Scotland train involved was the 6.38am Aberdeen to Stonehaven, which had four carriages and one engine.
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie told PA: “I’ve already spoken to [transport secretary] Grant Shapps, who has spoken to Network Rail and the British Transport Police who are obviously investigating and assisting. I am aware that Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has declared a major incident.”
Scotrail, which operated the derailed train in Scotland, had posted a message on Twitter shortly after 6.30am this morning warning that services across Scotland would be disrupted due to “extremely heavy rain flooding”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was saddened to learn of the “very serious incident” in Aberdeenshire and his thoughts were with all those affected.