Survivors of the Stonehaven rail derailment tragedy have sought legal advice about claiming damages as they continue to recover from their ordeal.
Legal firm Digby Brown have confirmed that a number of victims have approached them for help in beginning legal proceedings following the crash on August 12.
The ScotRail Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street service was travelling near Stonehaven when it hit a landslide and came off the tracks.
The carriages then ploughed into a bridge before the leading power car fell down a wooded embankment and caught fire.
Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Chris Stuchbury, 62, all tragically died while another six people were taken to hospital with various injuries.
The alarm was raised by an off-duty conductor Nicola Whyte, who was travelling as a passenger, after she walked to reach a signal box despite being injured herself.
A probe by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) remains ongoing but an interim report found that rocks and gravel had landed on the tracks amid stormy weather.
The train’s driver had been told to stop and travel back the way they had just come after a landslide on the tracks ahead.
But tragically, the ScotRail service collided with a second landslip at around 9.43am.
Neil Davidson, Partner at Digby Brown Solicitors in Aberdeen, said: “This was a tragic incident that caused the unnecessary loss of three innocent lives and unnecessary injuries to all of those involved and our condolences go to the families of the individuals who lost their lives.
“But we are of the view that this incident was avoidable and our clients have many questions about the crash.
“Particularly, what series of events led to the crash occurring? We are going to assist them in receiving the answers to their questions.
“The RAIB will also, hopefully, identify lessons that can be learned and procedures that can be improved so an incident like this does not occur again in the future.
“In the meantime, we will continue to liaise with the authorities and organisations involved and continue to support our clients by ensuring they have access to expert healthcare professionals to assist with their recovery and wellbeing.”
The stricken carriages were all finally removed from the scene on September 121 and taken away for further examination.
