Crash site like ‘a Hornby train set’

The fatal Stonehaven crash site resembled a “Hornby train set thrown up in the air”, the Transport Secretary has said.

Grant Shapps made the comparison when the tragedy was raised by Labour as it pressed about privatisation and UK suppliers in the rail industry.

Driver Brett Mccullough, conductor Donald Dinni ea nd passenger Christopher Stuch bury were killed when a Scot Rail service came off the tracks in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, following heavy rain on August 12.

Network Rail said the train hit a pile of “washedout rock and gravel before derailing”.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Shapps said: “I went to the scene of the tragedy. I was taken over in a helicopter. It was like a Hornby train set thrown up in the air.

“And our thoughts and prayers are with, not just the three who died, but those who were injured and the emergency workers and the brave people who rescued them. Our thoughts are with them all.

“The House will have noticed that I issued the Network Rail interim report on Stone have na week or two back which comes to some very important interim conclusions and I’ll update the House further with the full report shortly.”