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Serious injuries reported after train derails near Stonehaven Stonehaven: reports of serious injuries after train derails in Aberdeenshire
(32 minutes later)
Smoke seen billowing from track near Aberdeenshire town amid reports of an engine fire Smoke seen billowing from track near flood-hit town amid reports of an engine fire
Emergency services have been called to a major train derailment near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, where smoke can be seen billowing from the track amid reports of an engine fire and serious injuries. Emergency services have been called to a major train derailment near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, where smoke could be seen billowing from the track amid reports of an engine fire and serious injuries.
About 30 emergency vehicles, including an air ambulance, are reported to be at the scene already, with more continuing to arrive. Four passenger carriages came off the track at Carmont, just south of Stonehaven, as a Scotrail HST train travelled from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street.
About 30 emergency vehicles, including an air ambulance, were reported to be at the scene already, with more continuing to arrive.
British Transport Police confirmed they were responding to the incident, stating: “Officers were called to the scene at 9.43am and remain there alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.”British Transport Police confirmed they were responding to the incident, stating: “Officers were called to the scene at 9.43am and remain there alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.”
The TSSA union confirmed that the train was the ScotRail 06:38 service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street and said there was no indication as yet what may have caused the accident.
Describing the incident as “extremely serious”, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed before first minister’s questions in the Holyrood chamber that there were early reports of serious injuries, and that a major incident had been declared. She added that her thoughts were with all those involved.Describing the incident as “extremely serious”, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed before first minister’s questions in the Holyrood chamber that there were early reports of serious injuries, and that a major incident had been declared. She added that her thoughts were with all those involved.
Boris Johnson said he was “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,” he added.
The UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said he had been briefed on the incident by Network Rail, tweeting: “British Transport Police and 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.”The UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said he had been briefed on the incident by Network Rail, tweeting: “British Transport Police and 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.”
Some witness reports on social media suggested the train had fallen down an embankment after running into a landslip.Some witness reports on social media suggested the train had fallen down an embankment after running into a landslip.
North-east Scotland was one of the areas badly affected by torrential rain and thunderstorms overnight, with flooding causing travel disruption and continued school closures on Wednesday morning.North-east Scotland was one of the areas badly affected by torrential rain and thunderstorms overnight, with flooding causing travel disruption and continued school closures on Wednesday morning.
The River Carron burst its banks and was pictured flowing through Stonehaven’s town centre.The River Carron burst its banks and was pictured flowing through Stonehaven’s town centre.
Mick Lynch, the assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: “RMT is aware of the major incident at Stonehaven and our reps are liaising directly at senior level with both ScotRail and Network Rail.Mick Lynch, the assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: “RMT is aware of the major incident at Stonehaven and our reps are liaising directly at senior level with both ScotRail and Network Rail.
“Our priority at this time is to support our members, their colleagues and their families and to do all that we can to assist the rescue operation which RMT members are currently involved in.“Our priority at this time is to support our members, their colleagues and their families and to do all that we can to assist the rescue operation which RMT members are currently involved in.
“The facts behind this incident will need to be established in due course but at this stage we are focused on support and assistance and our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy.”“The facts behind this incident will need to be established in due course but at this stage we are focused on support and assistance and our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy.”