Scots train network falls silent to remember Stonehaven tragedy one year on

Scotland’s train services ground to a halt this morning as the country remembers those who died in the Stonehaven rail tragedy one year ago.

Three people died and six people were injured after the Aberdeen to Glasgow train left the tracks and crashed into a landslide last year following hours of heavy rainfall.

Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58 and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, sadly lost their lives in the tragic incident.

Train stations across Scotland fell silent while rail services stopped for a minute of reflection at around 9.43am this morning.

Rail staff, emergency service workers and passengers observe a minute's silence at Glasgow Central Station (PA)

Passengers were made aware of the minute’s silence through messages on boards and onboard announcements.

ScotRail told passengers earlier today: “Today marks a year since train driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury tragically lost their lives in the derailment near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.

“We will come together as Scotland’s Railway family to send our love and support to everyone, particularly the loved ones of the deceased, who have been affected by the tragedy. We will never forget.”

Disaster struck when the 6.38am train, travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow, hit a landslip which had been washed down on to the track from the drain at Carmont, near Stonehaven.

Heavy rain had fallen before the tragedy, with horrific pictures showing the wreckage being probed by investigators for weeks.

Glasgow Central fell silent (PA)

Train drivers' union ASLEF say that the service would have been busier if it were not for the coronavirus pandemic.

Alex Hynes, Scotland's Railway managing director, said: "Everyone at Scotland's Railway will always be broken-hearted about the terrible accident at Stonehaven.

Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough tragically died in the incident last year (PA)

"Today, exactly a year on, we pay tribute to Brett, Donald and Christopher, who lost their lives, and also, of course, we remember those who were injured.

"We come together as Scotland's Railway family and we send our love and support to everyone, particularly the loved ones of the deceased, who have been affected by the tragedy.

Three people died and six were injured after a Aberdeen to Glasgow train crashed into a landslide last year (PA)

"We will never forget."

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