Repeat of Stonehaven train crash ‘increasingly likely’ three years on …
A TRANSPORT union has issued a safety warning over an "increasing risk of another tragedy" three years on from the fatal Stonehaven derailment disaster.
The ScotRail[1] service derailed on the Aberdeen to Glasgow line[2], heading north on August 12, 2020.
3
Emergency services inspecting the scene near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, following the derailment of the ScotRail train which cost the lives of three peopleCredit: PA
3
RMT Union boss Mike Lynch has issued a warning on the 3rd anniversaryCredit: PA
3
The train was derailed after hitting debris following a faulty drainage systemCredit: PAIt caused the tragic deaths of driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62.
Six other people were also injured when the train hit washed-out debris on the line near Carmont due to a drainage system being incorrectly installed.
On the third anniversary of the deadly incident, the RMT union[3] said it is "increasingly likely" another accident of this scale could happen after they revealed the majority of safety recommendations following a probe remains incomplete.
A report into the fatal derailment made by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) set out 20 recommendations for the improvement of railway safety.
They included better management of construction activities by Network Rail and its contractors.
But tonight RMT said despite details set out by RAIB in their March 2022 report into the Carmont incident, 18 of the recommendations are still left open.
Union leader Mike Lynch said: “Unfortunately, we are faced with a toxic mixture of an increasing number of extreme weather events and Government and Network Rail[4] cutting back on railway, safety instead of acting on safety recommendations.
“If the government and Network Rail does not give immediate priority to acting on these safety concerns and recommendations there is an increased risk of more accidents like Carmont putting rail workers and rail passengers at risk of harm”.
Most read in News
Mr Lynch also paid tribute to the three that were killed - including RMT member Mr Dinnie.
He added: “Our thoughts are also with those who lost love ones in the accident at Carmont and the six people on the train who were injured,”
The safety regulator Office of Rail and Road (ORR) also warned earlier this year “continuing with, in effect, the status quo may lead to a failure to learn the lessons of Carmont”.
Network Rail Scotland said it was “committed” to delivering the RAIB’s recommendations.
It added it had made other changes to how the risk of severe weather is managed.
A Network Rail Scotland spokesperson said: “There were fundamental lessons learnt by Network Rail and the wider rail industry in the wake of the Carmont accident.
“As well as expressing our deep sorrow and regret at the loss of the lives of Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough, it’s important that we acknowledge it should not have taken this tragic accident to highlight those lessons.
“Since the derailment, we have been working hard to make our railway safer for our passengers and colleagues.”
We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at [email protected] [5]or call 0141 420 5200
References
- ^ ScotRail (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ derailed on the Aberdeen to Glasgow line (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ RMT union (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Network Rail (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ [email protected] (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)