Stonehaven fatal derailment probe process to begin

The first stage of the fatal accident inquiry process after the Stonehaven train derailment in which three men died is to be held next month, it has been announced.

The Aberdeen to Glasgow service derailed at Carmont after hitting a landslide following heavy rain in 2020.

Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died.

Network Rail was fined £6.7m last year after admitting a series of failings which led to the deaths. The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) process is expected to begin with a preliminary hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in January.

It had already been announced that a fatal accident inquiry would be held into the crash, with the aim of helping to avoid a similar incident happening again.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the preliminary hearing would be held on 29 January.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: "The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern.

"This has been a highly complex and thorough large-scale investigation. The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff.

"While there have already been a number of lessons learned and industry-wide change made, an FAI will examine the full circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths, putting all relevant information into the public domain. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of judicial determination."

He added: "Our thoughts remain with the families, and they will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress."

The sheriff will set the timetable for the FAI to take place.

Network Rail pleaded guilty to a number of maintenance and inspection failures which were before the crash in August 2020.

It also admitted failing to warn the driver that part of the track was unsafe or tell him to reduce his speed.

The judge, Lord Matthews, said no penalty could compensate for the loss suffered by the families of those who died and the people injured.

The train hit a landslide near Stonehaven after heavy rain in an area where a drainage system had been incorrectly installed.

The 06:38 service to Glasgow had been unable to complete its journey due to the conditions and was returning to Aberdeen when the accident happened.

A recording of the driver showed he queried with a signaller if any reduced speed was needed to return north.

He was told everything was fine for normal speed.

The train struck debris from a landslide on the track, derailed and collided with a bridge parapet.