Serious injuries after train derails in UK, says Scotland's first minister
A train derails in Scotland, UK on Aug 12, 2020. (Screengrab: Twitter/@EuanSteuart)
LONDON: A number of people were seriously injured in a passenger train derailment on Wednesday morning (Aug 12) on the east coast of Scotland, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said, as she declared a major incident.
Television footage showed dark smoke billowing from a woodland area near Stonehaven, just south of the oil city of Aberdeen, after the ScotRail train derailed following heavy rain overnight.
Two air ambulances and about 30 emergency service vehicles could be seen in a field near the scene of the derailment.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was saddened to learn of the "very serious incident" in Aberdeenshire and his thoughts were with all those affected.
The Press Association news agency, citing unnamed sources, reported that the driver of the train was feared dead and there were fears of another fatality. There was no immediate confirmation from officials.
"Although details are still emerging I am afraid to say there are early reports of serious injuries," Sturgeon said.
"This is an extremely serious incident. I've had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated. All my thoughts are with those involved."
Police received reports of a train derailing near Stonehaven, a town 15km south of Aberdeen, at 9.40am on Wednesday.
The BBC reported that the train was made up of two locomotives, one at the front and one at the back, and four passenger carriages. It said the front locomotive and three of the carriages had left the track and were sitting on a river embankment.
Stonehaven and the surrounding areas were hit by floods in recent days and some reports suggested a landslide may have played a part in the derailment, although that was not confirmed by the authorities.
"Emergency services are currently in attendance and the incident is ongoing," a Police Scotland spokeswoman said.
Network Rail Scotland, the company which looks after the rail infrastructure, said it was working alongside emergency services.
"It is too early to confirm the exact nature and severity of the incident and more details will be made available once known," it said.
Local MP Andrew Bowie said a "major emergency service response" was underway and he had spoken to the British transport minister, Grant Shapps, about the incident.
"Thoughts with every single person involved," tweeted Bowie.
Britain has one of Europe's lowest rates of fatal rail accidents, with a stronger safety record than Germany or France in recent years, according to Eurostat data that includes unauthorised people on railway tracks and at level crossings.
European railways are very safe for rail passengers, with just 13 deaths across the European Union's 28 member states in 2018, according to the most recent available data from Eurostat. One of those was in Britain.
