Train crashed at 73mph
6.38 was derailed by tiny pieces of gravel, killing three, probe finds
THE train involved in the derailment that killed three people was travelling at nearly 73mph when it came off the tracks, investigators have said.
More than two inches of rain had fallen over the previous four hours in the area where the tragedy happened, leading to gravel being washed over the railway lines.
Investigators previously thought ScotRail’s 6.38am Aberdeen to Glasgow service came off the tracks near Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, after hitting a landslip caused by heavy rain.
New findings suggest loose gravel covering a drainage pipe higher up the embankment was washed on to the track.
The steep hill was awash with rainfall at the time. Between 5am and 9am the area had seen approximately 75 per cent of its monthly rainfall for the time of year. The lead engine and one carriage tumbled further down the slope after being derailed.
Train driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, all died as a result.
Another six people were injured but all have now left hospital.
The findings from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), released yesterday, reveal the final hours and minutes leading up to the disaster.
Investigators said that thunderstorms and torrential rain appear to have caused landslides on August 12.
The Glasgow-bound high speed train (HST) found its route blocked by a landslip, so it was diverted back to its last stop in Stonehaven after two hours waiting for the weather to clear. But after switching track and heading back north it hit another landslide in the Carmont area – before striking and destroying a bridge parapet at speed.
Investigators said: ‘At 09:25 hrs train 1T08 was given permission to start moving north, and was routed over a crossover at Carmont onto the down line.
‘The signaller at Carmont cleared the signal for the train to proceed to Stonehaven, and the train continued north, passing over the crossover at 5mph at 09:36 hrs.
‘Its speed increased, reaching 72.8mph after it had travelled for approximately 1.4 miles, which is within the maximum permitted speed for HSTs of 75mph on this stretch of line.
‘At around 09:38 hrs, the train struck a landslip covering the down line and derailed.’
More than a week on, work has been carried out at the site to stabilise the carriages.
Braces have been installed to hold the wreckage in place as investigative work is carried out to determine what happened.
The RAIB probe is independent of another investigation.
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: ‘A joint investigation continues to be carried out by Police Scotland, British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road, under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.’