Stations across the nation fall silent
Scotland pays respects to victims of rail tragedy
SCOTLAND fell silent for the victims of the Stonehaven rail tragedy in a one-minute vigil held across the country.
Yesterday marked a week since the horrific incident that claimed the lives of three men on the tracks in Aberdeenshire.
Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Chris Stuchbury, 62, died after their Aberdeen to Glasgow train left the tracks and crashed down an embankment on August 12.
People around Scotland paid their respects to the three men in a silent tribute held at 9.43am yesterday.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined rail workers at Waverley Station, Edinburgh, for the vigil.
Devastated ScotRail staff said their “hearts remain broken and will do for a long time” in a tweet posted moments after the silence.
Tributes were also held on board trains and stations across the country as mark of respect.
Local MP Kirsty Blackman stood alongside dozens of others at the Aberdeen Railway Station.
She wrote: “I joined with so many others at Aberdeen Railway Station to observe a minute’s silence to remember those who lost their lives and those affected by the derailment at Stonehaven last week.”
The minute’s silence even extended south of the Border, as staff at Birmingham New Street and
London Euston paid their respects to those who died in the crash.
A preliminary investigation report into the crash by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch revealed the final moments of the 06.38am service.
It read: “After departing Stonehaven, the train continued past Carmont on the up line until it was stopped by the signaller at Carmont, using a radio message.
“When it became apparent train 1T08 could not continue its journey south, the decision was taken to return it to Aberdeen and it was routed back over a crossover at Carmont on to the down line.
“After travelling for approximately 1.4 miles, the train struck a landslip covering the down line and derailed.
“As the track curved to the right, the train continued in a roughly straight line for around 100 yards until it struck a section of bridge parapet, which was destroyed.
“The leading power car continued over the bridge and fell down a wooded embankment, as did the third passenger carriage.
“The first passenger carriage came to rest on its roof. The second passenger carriage also overturned on to its roof and came to rest on the first carriage.
“The fourth passenger carriage also came to rest on the first carriage.”