DRAIN SAFETY FAIL BEFORE RAIL DISASTER

Contractor failed to tell track bosses change to system, says inspector

- MATHILDE GRANDJEAN

VITAL safety information between Network Rail and its contractors was "ineffective" prior to the derailment of a train, a fatal accident inquiry has been told.

The train crashed at Carmont near Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, on August 12, 2020 after it hit debris washed on to the track by heavy rain.

It resulted in the deaths of driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58;, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62.

The inquiry at Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard yesterday how the debris had washed on to the tracks from a drainage system that was not built according to the designer's requirements.