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An investigation has been launched into a rail accident in Aberdeenshire in which three people died.
The train driver, a conductor and a passenger were killed when the 06:38 ScotRail service departed from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street on Wednesday morning at Stonehaven.
It is thought to have been hit by a landslide after heavy rain and thunderstorms caused disruption in Scotland.
Six other people were also injured in the incident.
They were taken to the hospital but their injuries were not seriously believed.
Expert investigators are now working to identify the cause of the crash.
British transport police, the rail accident investigation industry and inspectors from the Office of Rail and Road – the independent regulator – are involved in the investigation.
- Three dead after passenger train derails
UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps has plans to travel to the scene of the incident later.
He said he “wanted to try to understand the situation first hand and offer all possible assistance”.
Michael Matheson, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, will also meet with local relief services.
And Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines is expected to travel to Stonehaven after spending a short family holiday in Italy.
Photos of the scene showed damaged vehicles lying across the track
The Queen was among those who sent their condolences to those affected by the derailment.
In a post on the Royal Family’s Twitter feed, she said she learned of the incident with “great sadness”.
“The Duke of Edinburgh, and the entire Royal Family, join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of those who have died and those who have been wounded,” she added.
“Our thanks go out to the emergency services for their response and dedication.”
Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon also sent her “deepest sympathy” to the loved ones of people who lost their lives in the tragedy.
The sentiment was echoed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He added: “Clearly the most important thing now is that the British transport police, who are responsible for the investigation, find out exactly what happened and that we all work together to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.”
Alex Hynes, the managing director of Scotland’s Railway, said it was a “sad, sad day”.
The derailed train consisted of two locomotives – at the front and rear – and four wagons.
A review by CCTV at stations where the service stopped suggested that there were nine people on the train, including crew.
Ch Supt Eddie Wylie, of the British Transport Police, said he believed all passengers were responsible.
He added: “Once the area is secured, a full and in-depth search will be carried out, which is likely to take some time.
“I know a lot of people have understandable questions and we will work closely with the Railway Accident Investigation Department and the Office of Rail and Road to determine the full circumstances of how the train got behind.”
Kevin Lindsay, Scotland’s organizer for the Union of Train Drivers, said: ‘Our thoughts last night are with all those who died, and who were injured, in the tragic accident.
“Although it is too early to speculate on the causes of the accident, it seems that the terrible weather conditions in the area – the pouring rain – resulted in a landing which in turn caused the train.”
He added that the train caught fire after rolling down a steep road.
