Several people injured as passenger train derails in Scotland

A number of people have been seriously injured in a passenger train derailment on the east coast of Scotland.

A major incident that took place near the town of Stonehaven in the region of Aberdeenshire was declared on Wednesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Edinburgh parliament.

“Although details are still emerging, I am afraid to say there are early reports of serious injuries,” she said.

Images from the site of the derailment showed smoke billowing from the scene and a rescue helicopter circling overhead.

The Scottish Ambulance Service told the UK’s Press Association that its response included six ground ambulances, an air ambulance, a special operations team and other patient transport vehicles.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed sadness at the accident on Twitter.

“I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected,” he said. “My thanks to the emergency services at the scene.”

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.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 12, 2020

Stonehaven is on the line for passenger trains linking Aberdeen with the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The hilly area was hit by storms and flash flooding overnight.

“We obviously don’t know why the derailment took place, but obviously we have suffered terrible weather here,” local lawmaker Andrew Bowie said.

Serious train accidents are rare in the UK. The country’s last fatal derailment was in 2007.