Sheriff finds Carmont derailment could have been avoided

A fatal accident inquiry found that a drain’s construction contributed to the 2020 Carmont train derailment. The sheriff said the drain should have been built to its design and noted that earlier safety recommendations were implemented or remain in progress.

• The train derailed near Carmont, Aberdeenshire, on August 12, 2020, after debris washed from a drain onto the track during heavy rain. Three people died and six others were injured.· 1 source
• Sheriff Lesley Johnson found the derailment could have been avoided if Carillion had built the drain to its design; she also found Network Rail had failed to ensure that it was properly constructed.· 1 source
• Network Rail was fined £6.7 million in 2023 after admitting health and safety failings. The sheriff made no new recommendations, noting that most of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s 20 recommendations had been implemented and the rest were being progressed.· 1 source