The short version
- Sheriff Lesley Johnston determined the 2020 Stonehaven train crash could have been avoided if a drain had been built according to design specifications.
- Network Rail was previously fined £6.7 million for maintenance failures and failing to warn the driver about unsafe track conditions caused by debris.
- The inquiry highlights a cultural shift in railway operations, with improved aerial inspections and better protocols for managing extreme weather risks.
A fatal accident inquiry into the 2020 Stonehaven train derailment has concluded that the tragedy could have been prevented if a drainage system had been constructed correctly. Sheriff Lesley Johnston delivered her determination following an investigation held in Aberdeen, identifying specific failures in oversight and management by Network Rail regarding the construction of a drain near Carmont in Aberdeenshire. The crash claimed the lives of driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury when their train struck debris washed onto the tracks after heavy rainfall.
The inquiry established that the drain, built by construction firm Carillion, was not installed in accordance with its original design. Sheriff Johnston noted a defect in Network Rail’s system of work, specifically the failure to ensure the infrastructure matched the design drawings and the lack of proper 'as built' documentation provided to the operator. This oversight meant that the risks associated with the improperly constructed drain were not fully understood or mitigated before the accident occurred.
On the morning of the incident in August 2020, intense rainfall had saturated the ground in the area. The train, which was returning to Aberdeen after being unable to complete its journey to Glasgow due to weather conditions, was traveling at approximately 73 mph. The driver had queried a signaller regarding speed restrictions for the return trip and was informed that normal speeds were safe. Consequently, the train did not slow down before hitting the landslide debris, leading to the derailment and collision with a bridge parapet.
Network Rail faced legal consequences for its role in the disaster prior to this inquiry. In 2023, the company was fined £6.7 million after admitting to multiple maintenance and inspection failures. These included failing to warn the driver that part of the track was unsafe or instructing him to reduce speed. The financial penalty reflected the severity of the operational lapses that allowed the train to proceed at full speed through a hazardous zone.
The sheriff’s determination emphasized that while the accident was caused by specific engineering and management failures, the broader rail industry has since implemented significant safety measures. Following the crash, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch issued twenty safety recommendations in 2022. Sheriff Johnston described these recommendations as comprehensive and wide-ranging, addressing various aspects of railway safety. She noted that most have been implemented, with the remainder actively being progressed.
A notable change highlighted by the inquiry is the shift in how Network Rail monitors infrastructure. The operator now utilizes aerial surveys conducted primarily by helicopters and drones to inspect the rail network more effectively. This technological adoption represents a move toward more proactive identification of potential hazards, particularly those related to weather events that were less systematically monitored at the time of the 2020 crash.
Sheriff Johnston also observed a cultural shift within Network Rail regarding the perception of weather risks. Rainfall is now viewed with greater seriousness as a hazard to railway operations, leading to improved record-keeping and health and safety file retention throughout construction projects. The inquiry heard that the rail network is better prepared for extreme weather events than it was during the period leading up to the Stonehaven derailment.
Despite identifying these past failures, Sheriff Johnston did not issue new recommendations in her 199-page determination. She concluded that the existing measures and ongoing improvements satisfied the need for further precautions, stating that no other reasonable steps could realistically prevent similar deaths in the future. The inquiry served to formally document the causes of the accident and acknowledge the systemic changes enacted in its wake.
The incident occurred during a period of reduced passenger numbers due to pandemic restrictions, with only nine people on board the train. Six survivors were injured in the crash. In closing her determination, Sheriff Johnston expressed sincere condolences to the families and friends of the three men who died, acknowledging their tragic and untimely loss. Network Rail Scotland managing director Liam Sumpter reiterated the company’s thoughts remain with those affected by the terrible day for the railway.
The findings underscore the critical importance of accurate infrastructure documentation and rigorous oversight in public transport safety. While the immediate cause was a physical defect in drainage, the root issues involved management failures to verify construction quality and communicate risks to operational staff. The case serves as a stark reminder of how engineering oversights can have fatal consequences when combined with environmental factors.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC News↗Fatal Stonehaven train derailment could have been avoided if drain built correctly, says sheriff
