Home / Disasters and Accidents / Aberdeen Train Crash: Three Dead, Inquiry Hears Devastating Details
Aberdeen Train Crash: Three Dead, Inquiry Hears Devastating Details
26 Jan
Summary
- Three men died from unsurvivable injuries in an Aberdeenshire train derailment.
- Heavy rainfall washed debris onto the tracks, causing the fatal crash.
- Network Rail was fined £6.7 million for health and safety failings.
A fatal accident inquiry heard that three men sustained unsurvivable injuries following the derailment of a train in Aberdeenshire. The incident occurred on August 12, 2020, near Carmont, when the train struck debris washed onto the track by heavy rainfall.
Train driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury tragically lost their lives. Six other individuals were also injured in the crash. Investigations revealed the drainage system failed to cope with the deluge, leading to the gravel being washed out onto the tracks.
The inquiry was told the train was travelling at 73mph when the derailment happened. In 2023, Network Rail received a £6.7 million fine for health and safety failings related to the crash. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch had previously made 20 recommendations to enhance railway safety.
