TRAGEDY ON THE TRACKS
»Driver Brett, conductor and passenger killed in derailment »Train crashes after heavy rain causes landslide onto the line
A TRAIN driver killed along with two other people in a horror train crash was a doting father who lived near the crash scene.
Driver Brett McCullough, 45, was one of those who died when the 6.38am Aberdeen to Glasgow train derailed south of Stonehaven after heavy rain caused a landslide on the track.
A train conductor and a passenger also died in the incident.
In a statement on Twitter, ScotRail said: “We’ve sadly been advised by the British Transport Police that, in addition to the driver and a passenger, one of the fatalities in the Stonehaven derailment was our conductor.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of those who have lost loved ones.”
A massive emergency response was launched as thick clouds of smoke were seen pouring from the stricken train after it careered off the tracks at about 9.45am yesterday and burst into flames.
A major incident was declared and about 30 emergency service vehicles raced to the scene south of Stonehaven.
It is understood the train had been brought to a halt by flooding on the line as it travelled south and had reversed to change tracks.
It then hit the landslide and derailed.
The locomotive engine and two carriages were smashed together on the line, while another two carriages plummeted into a ravine next to the track.
As well as the three people killed, six people were taken to hospital, although their injuries are not believed to be serious.
British Transport Police said the driver’s family had been informed and were being supported by specially-trained liaison officers.
Efforts were continuing to inform the families of the other two people who died last night.
A grief-stricken colleague of Brett said ScotRail staff were shattered to learn he had been killed in the tragedy.
The colleague said: “He has a young family and a wife.
“He’s been in the railways for about six years and is a lovely man.”
Brett lived less than a 15-minute drive from the site of the accident.
His wife Stephanie was too upset to comment about the tragedy. She confirmed that Brett had died in the derailment.
Tributes were paid last night to those killed in the tragedy.
Kevin Lindsay, rail union ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland, said: “Our thoughts tonight are with all those who died, and who were injured, in the tragic accident at Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
“While it is too early to speculate about the causes of the crash, it would seem that the appalling weather conditions in the area – the torrential rain – resulted in a landslip which, in turn, caused the train to derail. The train, which was a service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, rolled down a steep embankment and caught fire.
“We understand that three people died and several more have been taken to hospital. Our thoughts tonight are with these men and women and their families.
“I have been touched by the messages of condolence and support I have received from railwaymen and women, not just elsewhere in the UK, but right across the world. The railway family comes together at a time like this.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon passed on her condolences yesterday, calling the derailment “an extremely serious incident”.
She added in Parliament: “My immediate thoughts and the thoughts of those across the chamber are with all those involved.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier said he was “saddened” and that his thoughts were with all those affected.
British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Eddie Wylie said: “This is a tragic incident and first and foremost our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have very sadly died this morning. We remain on scene alongside our emergency service colleagues and a major incident operation has been under way.
“From CCTV enquiries and witness statements, we believe all passengers have been accounted for.”
The Queen has sent a message of condolence saying “it was with great sadness that I heard of the train derailment” and that the entire royal family “join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of those who have died and those who have been injured”.
The chief executive of Network Rail, Andrew Haines, is cutting short his family holiday in Italy to return to the UK. Transport secretary Grant Shapps is due to visit the scene today. ●The Scottish Government has tweeted a phone number if you are concerned about friends or family who may have been involved – call 01224 319519 for support.