Carmont (near Stonehaven) derailment - 12 August 2020

[trainmananthon]

Hearing of a major derailment at carmont just north of Stonehaven. Hst hit a landslip, derailed and rolled down an embankment.
1T08 0638 Aberdeen - Queen Street
1 reported fatality
2 major injuries
Whole train off the line
1 coach on fire

 

[Bletchleyite]

Minor point of order, Carmont is south (well, almost east) of Stonehaven.

 

[Saint66]

The first new article I've seen on the story - https://news.stv.tv/north/emergency-services-rush-to-scene-as-train-derails?top

A train has derailed near Aberdeenshire after a night of flash flooding.

Police were called to the scene on Wednesday at around 9.43am near Stonehaven.

Emergency services are currently in attendance and the incident is ongoing.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said: “Officers are currently responding to an incident on the line in Stonehaven.

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“We were called at 9.43am, and are on scene alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.”

More to follow.

 

[Steddenm]

You beat me to it. Was just going to post that.

Stonehaven has been hit badly with flooding too.

 

[cf111]

Good grief how awful. The rain really was something last night, I personally haven't seen a thunderstorm like it in quite some time, if ever. My thoughts are with those caught up in this derailment and those on the railway and in the emergency services who are dealing with the aftermath.

 

[Ibex]

The first new article I've seen on the story - https://news.stv.tv/north/emergency-services-rush-to-scene-as-train-derails?top

BBC Scotland also reporting on this now too. https://twitter.com/BBCNorthEast/status/1293488511186882562?s=20

The emergency services are dealing with a derailed train near Stonehaven. There are several Fire appliances at the scene. There are no reports of any injuries. Network Rail says it's investigating.

 

[Steddenm]

Not my Tweet...

https://twitter.com/BenPhilip_/status/1293491201845469185?s=19

A major emergency service response to a train derailment near Stonehaven. An air ambulance is in attendance. A lot of smoke is coming out of the tree line where the railway track runs. Ambulances arriving by the minute.

 

[Saint66]

https://twitter.com/BTP/status/1293491294480805894

We're currently responding to an incident on the line in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, where a train has derailed. Officers were called to the scene at 9.43am and remain there alongside paramedics and the fire brigade. All further updates will be shared here.

 

[55002]

If it was 0638 from Aberdeen why weren’t emergency services called until 0943?

https://twitter.com/thederrycoo/status/1293493753286729732?s=21

A major emergency service response to a train derailment near Stonehaven. An air ambulance is in attendance. A lot of smoke is coming out of the tree line where the railway track runs. Ambulances arriving by the minute.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Looks quite serious, thoughts with all those involved in this derailment.

To those saying about the time the emergency services appeared, consider that there is serious flooding in Stonehaven and the area looks remote, so it may have taken them some time with stretched resources.

 

[Speed43125]

One coach on fire as well apparently.
https://twitter.com/pipdunn/status/1293492477429723136

I’m hearing of Reports of one fatality and two serious injuries in a train derailment near Stonehaven this morning. 0638 Aberdeen-GLQS HST is reported off the rails with one coach on fire. Emergency services in attendance.

Rain was really something last night, heaviest in quite a while. Almost unsurprising something like this has happened, if tragic, especially with the reported fatality involved too.

 

[Horizon22]

Looks like its an HST set that has been involved. Tragic news.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Reported elsewhere as set HA22. 43140 + 40622 + 42007 + 42564 + 42145 + 43030.

 

[Ianno87]

Looks quite serious, thoughts with all those involved in this derailment.

To those saying about the time the emergency services appeared, consider that there is serious flooding in Stonehaven and the area looks remote, so it may have taken them some time with stretched resources.

Plus, who knows what things like phone signals and radio receptions are like in an area like that. Establishing communication may have itself taken some time.

 

[JaJaWa]

Image via BBC Ben Phillips showing 30 emergency vehicles including air ambulance at the scene.

 

[Horizon22]

Just updated on the BBC

Three dead after passenger train derails near Stonehaven

The driver, a conductor and a passenger were killed in the incident in Aberdeenshire.

www.bbc.co.uk

Emergency services are dealing with a derailed train near Stonehaven.

There are several fire appliances at the scene, and smoke can be seen.

It is not yet clear if there are any injuries.

Network Rail said it was investigating

 

[XCTurbostar]

Extremely sad news. My thoughts go out to all those affected by this incident.

 

[father_jack]

Rain was really something last night, heaviest in quite a while. Almost unsurprising something like this has happened, if tragic, especially with the reported fatality involved too.

Coastguard helicopter en route from Glasgow Airport also. https://tar1090.adsbexchange.com/?icao=406de7

Must have been a rough night up that way as no route available Dundee - Edinburgh.

(Via Cowdenbeath blocked due to landslide and via Kirkcaldy blocked due to heavy flooding.)

 

[Class195]

Thoughts are with those fighting for their lives. Terrible tragedy.

 

[55002]

Plus, who knows what things like phone signals and radio receptions are like in an area like that. Establishing communication may have itself taken some time.

surely the signaller will immediately notice a train not moving for 2 hours..

 

[Peter C]

I've just heard about this online and it sounds dreadful. I can't imagine what it must be like for those involved but my thoughts go out to them.

-Peter

 

[55002]

https://twitter.com/christopherharv/status/1293499032640409601?s=21

Huge billowing black smoke from train on fire after derailing near Stonehaven.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

If it was 0638 from Aberdeen why weren’t emergency services called until 0943?

https://twitter.com/thederrycoo/status/1293493753286729732?s=21

surely the signaller will immediately notice a train not moving for 2 hours..

It is reported the train had turned back and was attempting to return to Aberdeen having encountered issues further up the line.

 

[55002]

It is reported the train had turned back and was attempting to return to Aberdeen having encountered issues further up the line.

ahh that makes sense

 

[Ianno87]

surely the signaller will immediately notice a train not moving for 2 hours..

This area is (I think) Absolute Block, so there may not be Track Circuits / Train Detection.

All the receiving signaller would know is the time the train was accepted from the previous 'box, not its exact location.

It would be "Train unsually long time in section" under AB rules. I don't know what the guidelines are before "how long before emergency services should be contacted".



Edit: See responses about train turning back too.

 

[Ladder23]

https://twitter.com/christopherharv/status/1293499032640409601?s=21

Good god that’s a lot of smoke!

 

[Murray J]

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live - aircraft flight history

tar1090.adsbexchange.com

looks like another air ambulance is heading to stonehaven as well.

 

[BenW390Fan]

I'm wondering if it was cause of the heat or flooding, or if it even was weather. Best of luck to everybody involved

 

[brad465]

Thoughts going out to everyone affected :/

Id have thought temporary speed restrictions would have been put in place to mitigate this sort of thing when flouding is predicted.
it's very tragic that something like this has happened.
Perhaps it's time to invest in sensors or something that can detect flooding like this, not sure whether the technology exists yet, it would be quite expensive I'd imagine but if it makes Britain's railways safer then it's good enough

If rainfall is hard and sudden enough it could be enough to cause a landslide on an otherwise stable bank. Whether the technology for detection exists or not, I would not be surprised if a subsequent investigation recommends reinforcement of every bank/cutting above a certain gradient and/or height.

 

[spark001uk]

What about gsm-r.? Dead spot? Broken in the derailment?

Moderator note: to discuss GSM-R coverage please use https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gsm-r-coverage-question.207655/