Train Crash Victim Died on Wedding Anniversary, Fatal Inquiry Hears
A fatal accident inquiry has been told that a passenger killed in a devastating train derailment died on his wedding anniversary, as details of the tragedy that claimed three lives were heard in court.
Three Lives Lost in Carmont Derailment
The inquiry, which began at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, heard that train driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, all suffered unsurvivable injuries in the crash at Carmont near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, on 12 August 2020. The ScotRail service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street derailed after striking a landslide caused by heavy rainfall.
Alex Prentice KC, Crown counsel for the inquiry, stated that post-mortem examinations showed the three men sustained multiple blunt force injuries. "It was judged that these injuries were non-survivable and death would likely have been immediate," he told the court, reading from a joint minute.
Heartbreaking Personal Tributes
The inquiry heard emotional statements from the families of the victims. Diane Stuchbury, the wife of Christopher Stuchbury, revealed that her husband died on their wedding anniversary. "Every day with Chris was a gift. The most loving, kind, wise, and loyal man you could ever wish to meet," her statement read. "The 12th of August used to be a special day in our house: the day we married."
Mrs Stuchbury added that the crash "should have never happened" and that they "have been robbed of their future together as a couple." The family of Donald Dinnie said in their statement: "He was loved and adored by all his family and friends. He will be forever missed."
Graphic Details of the Crash Scene
The court heard harrowing details about the aftermath of the derailment. Christopher Stuchbury was "thrown clear of the train" by the impact, while Brett McCullough's body was found on the lower part of the embankment where carriage vehicles had scattered after striking a bridge parapet. Donald Dinnie's body was stuck in the doorway of coach D and could not be retrieved until the following day.
Emergency crews who attended the scene faced a "highly complex incident," with two firefighters becoming injured during the operation. The train was travelling at 73mph when it collided with debris washed from a drain onto the track following very heavy rainfall at approximately 9.37am.
Investigation Findings and Safety Failures
Nick Bucknall, an inspector of rail accidents with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), told the inquiry that the drainage system was unable to accommodate the flow of surface water. "The gravel in the drainage trench was vulnerable to washout. Network Rail did not have arrangements for additional operational mitigation," he said, adding that the train's speed was not restricted.
A RAIB report published in March 2022 found that errors in the construction of a drainage system installed by Carillion meant it was unable to cope with the heavy rain that fell that morning. The report made 20 recommendations to improve railway safety, many directed at Network Rail.
Network Rail was fined £6.7m in 2023 after pleading guilty to health and safety failings that led to the deaths. In the same year, almost £1m in damages was secured from the rail operator for seven people affected by the crash.
Pandemic Reduced Casualty Toll
Mr Bucknall noted that the number of casualties would likely have been "significantly higher" had the train been full. The passenger number was unusually low because the incident occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The damage to the high-speed train was very extensive. A significantly higher casualty toll would have been likely if the train had been heavily loaded with passengers," he stated.
Network Rail said in a statement that their thoughts continue to remain with the families and loved ones of those affected. "The RAIB report into Carmont made clear that there were fundamental lessons to be learnt by Network Rail and since August 2020 we've been working hard to make our railway safer for our passengers and colleagues," a spokesperson added.
The fatal accident inquiry is expected to continue until 13 February, resuming on 23 February for a final week of proceedings.
