The derailment claimed the lives of driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury after the train struck debris at approximately 73mph. Sheriff Lesley Johnston identified a system-of-work failure in how Network Rail supervised construction firm Carillion, which did not construct the drain to design specifications or submit "as built" drawings. Despite these lapses, the 199-page determination issued no new safety recommendations, concluding that the 20 measures previously published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch were sufficient. The inquiry highlighted that the rail sector has since expanded aerial drone and helicopter surveys to enhance tra…
Key points
The fatal crash could have been averted if Carillion had installed the drain correctly an…: The fatal crash could have been averted if Carillion had installed the drain correctly and Network Rail had enforced documentation rules.
Network Rail failed to follow its own internal requirements to obtain critical "as built"…: Network Rail failed to follow its own internal requirements to obtain critical "as built" drawings from the contractor.
The rail industry has responded by improving extreme weather preparedness and increasing…: The rail industry has responded by improving extreme weather preparedness and increasing helicopter and drone aerial surveys.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Fatal train crash could have been avoided if drain was built correctly - sheriff
- Published
A train derailment which resulted in the deaths of three men could have been avoided if a drain had been built correctly, a sheriff has concluded.
Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the crash at Carmont, near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, in August 2020.
The train derailed after hitting debris which had washed from the drain following heavy rain.
After a fatal accident inquiry (FAI), Sheriff Lesley Johnston said it was not constructed and installed in accordance with its design, and found there were precautions which could have been taken which "might realistically have avoided the accident".
It follows the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) making 20 safety recommendations in its report back in 2022 into the crash.
That report had also highlighted the drainage system being incorrectly installed.
Crash inquiry hears rail network is better prepared for extreme weather
- Published3 February
The tragedy happened after intense rainfall in the area over a short period…
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