Stonehaven derailment inquiry could last 12 weeks

Donald Dinnie, Christopher Stuchbury and Brett McCullough died in the crash

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the Stonehaven train derailment in which three men died could last about 12 weeks, a hearing has been told.

The Aberdeen to Glasgow service derailed at Carmont after hitting a landslide following heavy rain in 2020. Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died.

Network Rail was fined £6.7m in 2023 after admitting a series of failings which led to the deaths.

A preliminary remote hearing was told the FAI would be a large-scale inquiry. The next hearing will be held in March, to allow more discussions on the way forward.

Alex Prentice KC, for the Crown, said it was believed the inquiry could last "about 12 weeks", although timings could change.

He said it was a "significant" inquiry involving multiple fatalities, and described the "tragic incident" as remaining of "serious public concern".

Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle said there was no prospect of all the parties involved being ready to proceed with the inquiry itself before he retires in June.

Inquiries will now be made into when and where the inquiry will be held.

It is thought that could be Autumn at the earliest.

The next preliminary hearing will be on 28 March.

The derailment happened back in 2020

Network Rail admitted a number of maintenance and inspection failures before the crash in August 2020.

It also admitted failing to warn the driver that part of the track was unsafe or tell him to reduce his speed.

The judge, Lord Matthews, said no penalty could compensate for the loss suffered by the families of those who died and the people injured.

The train hit a landslide near Stonehaven after heavy rain in an area where a drainage system had been incorrectly installed.

Normal speed

The 06:38 service to Glasgow had been unable to complete its journey due to the conditions and was returning to Aberdeen when the accident happened.

A recording of the driver showed he queried with a signaller if any reduced speed was needed to return north.

He was told everything was fine for normal speed.

The train struck debris from a landslide on the track, derailed and collided with a bridge parapet.