Bloodsucker flies warning
Tributes to 3 victims as landslide train crash investigated
MOVING tributes were yesterday paid to the three men who died in the ScotRail tragedy.
Conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, died along with driver Brett McCullough, 45 ,and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62.
Six others were injured when the 6.38am Inter7City Aberdeen-Glasgow service derailed on Wednesday.
The crash was the second tragedy within weeks for the loved ones of conductor Donald, who was described as an “absolute gem” in a friend’s tribute.
His parents Edwin and Yvonne lost their daughter Karen, 59, in June.
Mick Lynch, of the RMT, said: “Donald’s branch, Aberdeen 1, told me that he was an amazing person.
“He lit up every room he walked into with his cheery banter and stories.”
Driver Brett, an “amazing” dad, leaves wife Stephanie, two daughters and a son. A family statement said: “Brett was the most decent and loving human being we have ever known.”
A friend said of the driver, who, like Mr Dinnie, lived near the crash site: “You’re one in a million and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.”
Kevin Lindsay, of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “Brett thought the
Crash inspectors at work near crushed carriage world of his family, and his colleagues thought the world of him.”
The family of Mr Stuchbury, from Aberdeen, said: “Chris was a much adored husband, son, dad, stepdad, grandad, brother and uncle, and was a treasured and loved friend to many. “We are devastated by his death.” Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson confirmed that “intense weather” played a role in the accident, which came after 3.1in of rain in four hours.
The downpour caused a landslip, hitting the train near Stonehaven, in Aberdeenshire, at 9.40am. The locomotive plummeted into a ravine and caught fire, and another carriage was crushed. Due to a local lockdown, there had only been nine people on board, six of them crew.
A multi-agency accident investigation into the crash has begun and Network Rail now plans to inspect all highrisk trackside slopes. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps visited the site yesterday and said: “We must make sure we learn every possible lesson.” But he said it is too early to say whether cost-cutting at Network Rail contributed to the tragedy.
Alex Hynes, MD of ScotRail, described the accident as “devastating”.
VICTIMS Brett McCullough, top, and Christopher Stuchbury
Donald Dinnie
A PLAGUE of bloodsucking horseflies which thrive in hot, rainy weather has hit the UK.
People near coasts are especially at risk as the pests are drawn to water. Bites can be painful.
A mum in Co Durham said: “I’ve seen a lot when the paddling pool is out.”