Three die after train derails in Scotland – UPDATE

UPDATE 

Three people have been pronounced dead at the scene after a train derailed in Scotland on Wednesday, police said.

Six others were taken to hospital but their injuries were not thought to be serious, British Transport Police added in a statement.

“Very sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, we can confirm that three people have been pronounced dead at the scene,” the statement said, adding that the driver of the train was believed to have been among them.

Emergency services are responding to a train derailment in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Thunderstorms had caused flooding across Aberdeenshire on Wednesday, prompting the cancellation of some rail services and the shutting of a number of schools.

In a statement, British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to the scene at 9.43am and remain there alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.”

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. https://t.co/veKAgMwZ36

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) August 12, 2020

Footage posted on social media showed smoke billowing from the scene in Stonehaven.

A number of ambulances and a medical helicopter were pictured parked in a nearby field.

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described the derailment as an “extremely serious incident”.

“I’ve had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated,” she posted on Twitter.

“All my thoughts are with those involved.”

Read more via Sky News/BBC