RAIB - Stonehaven Rail Crash Report

The Stonehaven rail crash was caused by errors in the construction of a drainage system by failed outsourcing giant Carillion, an investigation has found.

Differences in the design of the drain and the way it was built meant it was unable to cope with heavy rain which fell in Aberdeenshire on 12 August 2020, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said.

Three people were killed when a ScotRail train derailed after hitting gravel and other stony material washed out from the drain.

The train smashed into the side of a bridge, causing its power car and one of its four carriages to fall down an embankment.

The 6.38am service from Aberdeen to Glasgow was returning towards Aberdeen at the time of the accident due to the railway being blocked.

Carillion went into compulsory liquidation in January 2018 after suffering financial difficulties.

The drainage system was built during 2011 and 2012.