RMT calls for action on third anniversary of the fatal Carmont rail …

RAIL staff and passengers are being put at risk by government and Network Rail failures to improve safety, transport union RMT has warned, on the third anniversary of the fatal Carmont derailment.

Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died when the 06:38 Aberdeen to Glasgow service hit washed-out debris at Carmont, south of Stonehaven, on August 12 2020.

A series of safety failures led to the accident, which occurred following heavy rain, investigators found.

A 2022 report made 20 safety recommendations, but progress addressing them has been slow, prompting regulator the Office of Rail and Road to warn earlier this year that lessons had not been learnt. 

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Unfortunately, we are faced with a toxic mixture of an increasing number of extreme weather events and government and Network Rail cutting back on railway safety.

“If [they] do not give immediate priority to acting on these safety recommendations, there is an increased risk of more accidents putting rail workers and passengers at risk.”