Network Rail face Aberdeen court date over Stonehaven train derailment that killed three

Network Rail is to face court action over a train derailment in Aberdeenshire which claimed the lives of three people.

Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and a passenger, Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died when the service hit a landslide following heavy rain in August 2020.

The rail operator will appear at the High Court in Aberdeen on September 7, with court rolls listing the firm will enter a section 76 procedure.

That usually indicates a guilty plea in writing.

A Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report into the incident made 20 recommendations for the improvement of railway safety when it was published in March last year.

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Network Rail will appear in court over Stonehaven derailment that killed three people. #networkrail #derailment #stovehaven #court #scotland
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A Network Rail spokesperson said improvements had been made on the line since then.

They added: “The Carmont derailment and the tragic loss of Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough was a terrible day for our railway and our thoughts remain with their families and all those affected by the accident.

“While we cannot comment on the ongoing legal process, the RAIB report into Carmont made clear that there were fundamental lessons to be learnt by Network Rail and we have supported the investigation process.

“Since August 2020, we have been working hard to make our railway safer for our passengers and colleagues.

“We are committed to delivering on the recommendations made by RAIB and have also made other significant changes to how we manage the risk of severe weather to our network.”

Kevin Linsday, Scottish organiser of the ASLEF union argued the maximum penalty should be doled out to the company.

“We appreciate that Network Rail has accepted responsibility for their failures and their commitment to ensuring a tragic incident like Carmont never happens again,” he said.

“However, such corporate failure must result in penalties for those responsible. Full justice should mean that penalties are laid squarely at the door of those individuals in senior management roles who presided over the corporate failure that has seen Network Rail end up in court and accepting culpability for their role in this tragedy.”