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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Recommendations must be implemented after three Scots died in train derailment
"Rail crashes may be rare in 21st - century Scotland, but that is no excuse to allow vigilance to drop." Friends and family of three men killed in Scotland's worst rail disaster of recent times are right to be concerned why recommendations made after the tragedy still have not been implemented. Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, all died when a ScotRail service derailed at Carmont, near Stonehaven, in August 2020. Six others were injured after the train hit debris washed out from a drain while returning to Aberdeen due to a blocked line. Dozens more would likely have been injured or killed if the service had been running during a normal working day – but passenger numbers were low due to the Covid pandemic. Network Rail was fined £6.7m after admitting a series of failings which led to the deaths in 2023. But the RMT union, which represents rail staff, has warned critical safety issues have still not been addressed following the tragedy. The union is absolutely right to demand that every single recommendation from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report must be implemented without delay. It's simply not good enough that five years after the accident took place, and three years since the RAIB set out what needed to change, that so many safety recommendations are still outstanding. Friends and family of the victims deserve to know that lessons have been learned and a tragedy of this sort is unlikely to happen again. Rail crashes may be rare in 21st - century Scotland, but that is no excuse to allow vigilance to drop. Cancer prevention better than cure The war on cancer is taking great strides forward with new drugs being approved for use at a rapid pace. These treatments can often prolong life or even send the disease into remission. But when it comes to prevention, there is a lot of room for improvement. Sir Chris Hoy is currently calling for more testing for prostate cancer in men after his terminal diagnosis. Now campaigner Elaine Cunningham is hoping to raise similar concerns over bowel cancer. But with screening for the disease starting at 50, she says many younger people may not realise they have bowel cancer until it is too late. She wants screening to begin at 30, especially for those with a family history of the illness or other warning signs. Prevention is always better than cure so it makes sense for Elaine's call to be seriously considered. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
STV News
7 days ago
- General
- STV News
'Lessons must be learned' five years on from fatal train derailment
A union has warned 'lessons must be learned' five years on from a deadly train crash which killed three people in Aberdeenshire. Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62 lost their lives when a ScotRail train struck a landslip and came off the tracks at a bridge in Carmont, near Stonehaven, on August 12, 2020. Six others were left injured after the train hit washed-out debris from a drain while returning to Aberdeen due to the line being blocked. Network Rail pled guilty over its involvement in the fatal crash, admitting it did not warn the train's driver it was unsafe to drive on that section of track, and failing to tell him to reduce his speed. Almost £1m in compensation was awarded to five passengers and two people who lost loved ones. STV News Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger, Christopher Stuchbury, 62 all died in the crash. On the fifth anniversary of the incident, rail union RMT warned that the government and Network Rail's failure to fully act on safety recommendations made following the fatal crash has left rail workers and passengers at continued risk. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) concluded in 2022 that errors made during the system's construction by failed firm Carillion led to the incident. In its report, RAIB issued 20 safety recommendations, including action on drainage design, control room functions, risk management processes, and train crashworthiness. A report published in 2024 confirmed that eight recommendations remain open. The RAIB stated: 'A lot of work has been undertaken and progress made in closing the recommendations in the intervening years. However, eight remain open, indicating that there is still work to do.' The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has also warned that continuing with the current approach 'may lead to a failure to learn the lessons of Carmont'. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said 'Our thoughts today are with the families of Donald, Brett and Chris, and with those injured and traumatised in the crash. 'But remembrance alone is not enough – there must be action, and it needs to be urgent. 'It is outrageous that five years after the accident took place, and three years since the RAIB set out what needed to change, that so many safety recommendations are still outstanding. 'We demand better – for those we lost, for those who survived and for the safety of every worker and passenger going forward.' A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with all those affected by this tragic accident. While rail safety is reserved to the UK Government, it is a key priority, and we fully expect any required improvements and measures to be implemented. 'The Scottish Government takes the matter of safety on Scotland's Railway very seriously. In doing so, we also fully understand the duty of care that all parties involved in designing, constructing and operating the railway have to each other and to the travelling public, and the duty of co-operation those parties have to facilitate safe operation. 'We firmly believe that the prevention of accidents is the most effective mitigation.' Network Rail has been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Sheffield tram crossings safety probe after pedestrians hit
The safety of tram crossings in Sheffield is to be investigated by a rail watchdog following a crash which left two pedestrians Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it would "seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the incident" in which two young people were struck by a tram on a crossing at Staniforth Road in Darnall on 22 RAIB said its inquiry would consider "the management of risk at this crossing" and the wider strategy of the Supertram system operator for mitigating risks at similar crossings in the city. It would also assess "the audibility of warnings to users by trams at such crossings" and the "instruction and assessment of tram drivers". The RAIB said: "The tram was travelling at around 15mph (25 km/h) at the time of the collision. "The pedestrians, who were young people, were both injured in the accident, one of them seriously."The crossing is south of the junction of Woodbourn Road and Staniforth Road and at the time of the accident, the pedestrians had travelled north along Woodbourn Road before using the RAIB said: "The road junction is protected by road traffic lights and tram signals, while signs and road markings inform crossing users of the presence of trams and instruct them to look both ways."It said people approaching the crossing from Woodbourn Road were separated from the tramway by a fence which was about 145ft (44m) long. The RAIB said its findings, which would be published at the end of its investigation, would include any recommendations to improve safety. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
10-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Train derailed near Bletchley during journey to rail depot
Investigators are to look into an incident in which a broken-down train derailed on its way to a depot. The out-of-service London Northwestern train derailed at Denbigh Hall South Junction shortly after leaving Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, at about 12:27 BST on 26 June.A recovery process meant some lines running through the junction were out of use until 16:05 BST on 29 findings by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) reveal the train encountered a fault preventing it from departing southwards from platform 4 at Bletchley station. The train still worked even driven northwards but a fail machine blocked the normal signalled route north, investigators of this, the train was instructed to travel in the wrong direction on the southbound line - without the usual protection from the signalling had been travelling at about 15mph when the front bogie derailed on a switch diamond were no passengers on the service or any reported injuries to the four members of staff on RAIB said it would publish its full findings and any recommendations to improve safety once the investigation was completed. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
06-07-2025
- BBC News
Watchdog flags level crossing risk after Sunderland Metro crash
A rail watchdog has highlighted the risk pedestrians face at some level crossings after a person was hit by a Metro accident happened on the Blue Horse Lane footpath in Sunderland on 18 April, according to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).A preliminary investigation by the watchdog found there was a risk at the site that an approaching train may be hidden to a pedestrian by a previously passing train. However, RAIB found there was signage to warn people about this hazard. Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus said it was "reassured" by this finding. The watchdog said the crash was similar to one which occurred in Surrey in April 2022, causing the death of an 85-year-old investigation into that crash led to Network Rail fitting new signage to all level crossings with two lines or more. These signs read: "Oncoming trains can be hidden by other trains" as well as containing a warning for users "not to cross until all lines are clear".It said this signage had been fitted at Blue Horse Lane footpath at the time of the crash. 'Be alert at crossings' RAIB said the driver of the Metro train had been able to apply the emergency brake before hitting the pedestrian on the crossing. Nevertheless the walker suffered "serious injuries", it said. Due to the watchdog's earlier report about the risk of trains being hidden by other trains at some level crossings, RAIB said it was unlikely that a full investigation into this latest crash would lead to any new safety improvement meant it would not investigate further, though it did say it had written to the Office for Rail and Rail (ORR) to "draw attention" to the crash and highlight the industry's "current and future management of this known risk". Nexus urged members of the public to follow the guidance of signs and stay alert at foot crossings."Our thoughts and best wishes remain with those involved in the incident on 18 April," it ORR said its investigation into the crash, which was separate from RAIB's, was still ongoing and therefore it could not comment. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
