Emergency services have rushed to the scene after the crash, where the are concerns the train’s engine is on fire. The derailment occurred near the town of Stonehaven at around 9.45am.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “A report was received of a train having derailed near Stonehaven at around 9.45am on Wednesday August 12.
“Emergency services are in attendance and the incident is ongoing.”
A British Transport Police spokesman, said: “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.”
Aberdeen train crash: Fears of multiple injuries and an engine fire (Image: Ben Philip/Twitter )
ScotRail operate the majority of passenger services in Scotland (Image: Getty)
A ScotRail spokesman, added: “We’re assisting the emergency services with an incident near Stonehaven, and will provide more information when available.”
Smoke could be seen billowing from the train on the track in the countryside, while several emergency service vehicles could be seen parked in a field.
Pictures posted from the scene showed at least six ambulance vehicles, an air ambulance and a number of police response cars at the scene.
It comes after heavy rain and thunderstorms have caused travel disruption and flooding in several parts of Scotland including in Fife where a major incident has been declared.
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ScotRail tweeted that due to “extremely heavy rain” and flooding on the railway, services across the country will be delayed or cancelled.
Passengers were advised to check before travelling and consider alternative transport where possible.
Mick Lynch, the assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said: “RMT is aware of the major incident at Stonehaven and our reps are liaising directly at senior level with both Scotrail and Network Rail.
“Our priority at this time is to support our members, their colleagues and their families and to do all that we can to assist the rescue operation which RMT members are currently involved in.
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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.
— British Transport Police (@BTP) August 12, 2020
“The facts behind this incident will need to be established in due course but at this stage we are focused on support and assistance and our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy.”
Nicola Sturgoen, First Minister of Scotland, 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 were called at 9:45am this morning (Image: Getty)
Local Tory MP Andrew Bowie said he had spoken to the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who is liaising with Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail about the derailment.
He added: “Thoughts with every single person involved.
“Will update more when I can.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: “Just met urgently with @networkrail for a briefing on Stonehaven derailment.
Just off the phone with Sec State Transport, @grantshapps regarding the train derailment South of Stonehaven who has spoken and is liaising with @ScotRail & @NetworkRailSCOT. Emergency Services at the scene. Thoughts with every single person involved. Will update more when I can.
— Andrew Bowie MP (@AndrewBowie_MP) August 12, 2020
“British Transport Police & Network Rail are on location, along with rail workers who were nearby.
“The UK Government will provide every support. My thoughts are with those involved and their families.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We currently have multiple resources in attendance at a train derailment near Stonhaven, including six ambulances, our special operations response teams, air ambulance, patient transport vehicles and the Scotstar emergency service.
“More information will follow when we have it.”
Rail industry sources told the PA news agency that the suspected cause of the incident was a landslip.
The train involved was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven, made up of a locomotive and four carriages.
It is understood that the locomotive and three carriages derailed, and slid down an embankment.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those
affected. My thanks to the emergency services at the scene.”
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