Train derails near Stonehaven, Scotland in major incident with 'serious injuries'
A ScotRail passenger train has derailed following a suspected landslip near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, in an incident Nicola Sturgeon has described as "extremely serious"
The First Minister said there were "early reports of serious injuries" at the site of the accident and a major incident has been declared.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, said he was "saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire" and thanked emergency services at the scene.
Photos show at least seven ambulances, an air ambulance and police in attendance, and smoke rising from the train.
Emergency services were called just before 10am and around 30 emergency service vehicles are now reportedly at the scene.
Rail industry sources told the PA news agency that the suspected cause of the incident was a landslip, following heavy storms in the area overnight.
Stonehaven, the nearest town, is seriously flooded in places.
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.
A major emergency service response to a train derailment near Stonehaven. An air ambulance is in attendance. A lot of smoke is coming out of the tree line where the railway track runs. Ambulances arriving by the minute. https://t.co/LcOYUnlF8m pic.twitter.com/rioaSUUN94
— Ben Philip (@BenPhilip_) August 12, 2020
Ms Sturgeon said she had been briefed that the incident was "extremely serious".
"I’ve had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated. All my thoughts are with those involved," she tweeted.
This is an extremely serious incident. I’ve had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated. All my thoughts are with those involved. https://t.co/veKAgMwZ36
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) August 12, 2020
The nearby Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has reported a major incident, and Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has been made aware of the issue.
Mr Shapps tweeted: "Just met urgently with Network Rail for a briefing on Stonehaven derailment.
"British Transport Police & Network Rail are on location, along with rail workers who were nearby.
"The UK Government will provide every support. My thoughts are with those involved and their families."
I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected. My thanks to the emergency services at the scene.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 12, 2020
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said: "Of most urgent concern is an extremely serious incident on the rail line west of Stonehaven where a ScotRail passenger train derailed earlier this morning.
"The emergency services are currently on site and a major incident has been declared.
"I have just come off a call with Network Rail and the emergency services and although details are still emerging I am afraid to say there are early reports of serious injuries.
"The Scottish government resilience room is operational and I will be convening a SGoRR meeting with partner organisations as soon as possible this afternoon.
"Updates will of course be provided as they become available, however my thoughts [...] are with all those involved in this incident."
Network Rail said it was investigating.
British Transport Police said it was responding to an incident on the line.
Huge billowing black smoke from train on fire after derelailing near Stonehaven. pic.twitter.com/Rk01bS5RLI
— Chris Harvey (@ChristopherHarv) August 12, 2020
This is a breaking story and more will follow.
