‘Sadness’ of Queen who was just 50 miles away
THE Queen yesterday told of her ‘great sadness’ over the train derailment disaster as she led tributes to the crash victims.
The monarch is on holiday at Balmoral, around 50 miles from the scene of the accident in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.
She said the Royal Family ‘join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of those who have died and those who have been injured’.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon shared her shock on Twitter, posting: ‘My deepest condolences are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. I have just been updated by Network Rail and the emergency services on the ongoing operation.
‘My thanks go to them and my thoughts remain with everyone affected.’
Miss Sturgeon yesterday chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room, a co-ordination group activated in a national emergency.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for a probe into the impact of ‘substantial rainfall on vulnerable infrastructure’ amid fears the crash, which killed three people, was caused by a landslip due to torrential rain.
‘This type of accident on our railways is thankfully so rare,’ Mr Johnson told Sky News. ‘But our thoughts are very much with those who have lost
‘Ensure lessons are learned’
their lives, their families and of course those who have been injured in the derailment.
‘I’ve talked to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about what has happened and clearly the most important thing now is that the British Transport Police, who are in charge of the investigation, find out exactly what happened.’
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, MP for Moray, said: ‘All our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved, and I would like to thank the brave emergency services.
‘My Conservative colleague, Andrew Bowie, is the constituency MP and we have already been in contact with Network Rail and UK Government ministers, who are working with the Scottish Government and emergency services.’
UK Transport Secretary
Grant Shapps said his department was on hand to provide any support needed, adding: ‘The safety of passengers and staff is, and has always been, our utmost priority.
‘We will ensure that lessons are learned from this tragic incident once the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has carried out its investigation.’
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack wished the six people taken to hospital a ‘speedy recovery’, adding: ‘My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who have sadly died. Our emergency services deserve enormous credit for their handling of this.’
Kevin Lindsay, Scottish organiser for train drivers’ union the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, said: ‘While it is too early to speculate... 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.’
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservative group at Holyrood, and Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said their thoughts were with the victims, their families and the emergency services.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett extended his ‘heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of those lost in this terrible accident’, adding: ‘The impact of today’s derailment will be felt across the region.
‘Hopefully we can draw strength from each other in the difficult days ahead.’
Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said: ‘Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones. We pray for those who are injured [and] for the departed.’
The Right Rev Anne Dyer, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, said: ‘We will pray for those who are injured, as well as those who will be caring for them, hoping that they make a good recovery.’