Stonehaven Derailment Inquiry Hears of 'Unsurvivable' Injuries and Systemic Failures
A fatal accident inquiry into the devastating Stonehaven train derailment has heard harrowing details about the unsurvivable injuries suffered by the three men who lost their lives. The inquiry, which began at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, is examining the circumstances surrounding the tragic crash near Carmont, Aberdeenshire, on August 12, 2020.
Immediate and Fatal Injuries Detailed in Court
Alex Prentice KC, Crown counsel for the inquiry, told the court that post-mortem examinations revealed the three victims—train driver Brett McCullough, 45; conductor Donald Dinnie, 58; and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62—sustained multiple blunt force injuries during the derailment. "It was judged that these injuries were non-survivable and death would likely have been immediate," Mr Prentice stated, reading from a joint minute.
The inquiry heard specific details about the discovery of the victims. Mr Stuchbury was "thrown clear of the train" by the force of the impact, while Mr McCullough's body was found on the lower part of the embankment where carriage vehicles had scattered after striking a bridge parapet. Tragically, Mr Dinnie's body remained trapped in the doorway of coach D and could not be retrieved until the following day, August 13.
Heartbreaking Personal Tributes from Bereaved Families
The human cost of the disaster was poignantly emphasised through family statements read to the court. Diane Stuchbury, Christopher's wife, revealed in her written statement that her husband died on their wedding anniversary. "Every day with Chris was a gift," she wrote. "The most loving, kind, wise, and loyal man you could ever wish to meet. The 12th of August used to be a special day in our house: the day we married." She added that the accident "should have never happened" and that they had been "robbed of their future together as a couple."
Mr Dinnie's family said in their statement: "He was loved and adored by all his family and friends. He will be forever missed."
Cascade of Failures Leading to Catastrophic Derailment
The inquiry was presented with a detailed technical analysis of the causes of the crash. Nick Bucknall, an inspector with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), explained that the passenger train, travelling at 73mph, collided with "debris washed from a drain onto the track near Carmont, Aberdeenshire, following very heavy rainfall" at approximately 9.37am.
Mr Bucknall summarised the critical factors that led to the disaster:
- The drainage system was unable to accommodate the flow of surface water.
- The gravel in the drainage trench was vulnerable to washout.
- Network Rail did not have arrangements for additional operational mitigation.
- The speed of the train was not restricted despite the severe weather conditions.
The court heard that the drainage system, installed by the now-defunct contractor Carillion, had construction errors that left it incapable of coping with the torrential rain that fell that morning. Carillion had entered compulsory liquidation in January 2018, well before the accident.
Aftermath, Prosecution, and Ongoing Safety Reforms
The crash was described as a "highly complex incident" for the emergency crews who attended, with two firefighters sustaining injuries during the rescue operation. Six other people were injured in the derailment, including a 29-year-old American student from Aberdeen University who required airlifting to hospital.
In 2023, Network Rail was fined £6.7 million after admitting health and safety failings related to the crash. A subsequent RAIB report, published in March 2022, made 20 recommendations to improve railway safety, many directed at Network Rail.
A Network Rail spokesperson addressed the inquiry, stating: "The tragic accident at Carmont was a terrible day for our railway... The RAIB report into Carmont made clear that there were fundamental lessons to be learnt by Network Rail." The spokesperson outlined that "significant changes" have been made to how severe weather risks are managed and reaffirmed a commitment to implementing the RAIB's recommendations.
The fatal accident inquiry is scheduled to continue until February 13, with a final week of proceedings resuming on February 23.
