ScotRail train derails near Aberdeen sparking huge emergency response with 30 ambulances and air ambulance racing to remote scene
A ScotRail train derailed near Aberdeen this morning sparking a huge emergency response with 30 vehicles and an air ambulance sent to the scene.
The train came off the tracks on the Dundee-Aberdeen line at about 9.40am today close to the old Carmont railway station, near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
Dramatic video footage showed smoke billowing from the area with at least seven ambulances on the scene alongside police cars and fire engines.
There were no confirmed reports of any casualties, but the RMT union said it was a 'rescue operation' and nearby Aberdeen Royal Infirmary reported a major incident.
It comes after severe flooding in the area overnight which led to flash flooding in Aberdeen and widespread disruption across the ScotRail network.
Smoke is billowing from the area after the train came off the tracks at 10am this morning close to the old Carmont railway station, near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire
Network Rail had tweeted a video filmed in the same area around the time of the incident, showing major flooding and saying trains could not operate on the line.
Richard Clinnick, the news editor of Rail magazine, tweeted: 'The front power car and all four of ScotRail set HA22 went down the embankment near Stonehaven.
'The ScotRail IC7 set was returning north on the Down Main having encountered a landslip further south when the accident happened.
'Incident log suggests three crew members and six passengers on board. At least one Mk 3 was on fire.'
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: 'This is an extremely serious incident. I've had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated. All my thoughts are with those involved.'
Mick Lynch, the assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said: 'RMT is aware of the major incident at Stonehaven and our reps are liaising directly at senior level with both Scotrail and Network Rail.
'Our priority at this time is to support our members, their colleagues and their families and to do all that we can to assist the rescue operation which RMT members are currently involved in.
'The facts behind this incident will need to be established in due course but at this stage we are focused on support and assistance and our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy.'
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: 'Just met urgently with Network Rail for a briefing on Stonehaven derailment.
'British Transport Police and Network Rail are on location, along with rail workers who were nearby. The UK Government will provide every support. My thoughts are with those involved and their families.'
Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) sent an inspector, with a spokesman saying: 'We're aware of an incident involving a train derailment near Stonehaven.
'Emergency services are in attendance and an ORR inspector will be attending.
'We will work with Rail Accident Investigation Branch, British Transport Police and the emergency services to investigate the full circumstances of what has happened.'
Local MP Andrew Bowie said he had spoken to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who is liaising with Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail about the derailment.
'Thoughts with every single person involved,' Mr Bowie, the Tory MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said on Twitter. 'Will update more when I can.'
The incident happened on the Dundee-Aberdeen line at about 10am this morning
A British Transport Police spokesman said: 'We're currently responding to an incident on the line in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, where a train has derailed.
'Officers were called to the scene at 9.43am and remain there alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.'
A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'A report was received of a train having derailed near Stonehaven at 9.40am on Wednesday, August 12.
'Emergency services are currently in attendance and the incident is ongoing.'
A ScotRail spokesman said: 'We're assisting the emergency services with an incident near Stonehaven, and will provide more information when available.'
At least seven ambulances were on the scene alongside police cars and fire engines
A Network Rail spokesman said: 'We are working alongside the emergency services to respond to an incident involving a train near Stonehaven.
'It is too early to confirm the exact nature and severity of the incident and more details will be made available once known.'
Earlier, ScotRail posted a message on Twitter shortly after 6.30am warning that services across Scotland would be disrupted due to 'extremely heavy rain flooding'.
A video shared on Facebook at 7.30am showed heavy flooding in Stonehaven.
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