A sheriff has concluded that the fatal Stonehaven train derailment in August 2020, which resulted in the deaths of three men, could have been avoided if a drain had been built correctly. The train derailed after striking debris that had washed from the drain following heavy rain.

Sheriff Lesley Johnston stated after a fatal accident inquiry that the drain was not constructed and installed in accordance with its design. She found that precautions could have been taken that "might realistically have avoided the accident." The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) had previously made 20 safety recommendations in its 2022 report, which also highlighted the drainage system's incorrect installation.

The tragedy occurred near Carmont in Aberdeenshire, when the 06:38 service to Glasgow was returning to Aberdeen due to heavy rainfall and track conditions. The train struck a landslide, derailed, and collided with a bridge parapet.

The driver, Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the crash. Six other people on board were injured. At the time, there were only nine people on the train due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

During a court case in 2023, Network Rail was fined £6.7 million for multiple failings connected to the crash, including maintenance and inspection failures, and failing to inform the driver of track conditions or advise him to reduce speed.

Sheriff Johnston outlined several precautions that could have prevented the accident, including ensuring the drain was built according to design by construction firm Carillion, preparing and providing Network Rail with 'as built' drawings of the drain, and Network Rail adhering to its own standards requiring such drawings. "On the basis of the evidence, I consider it can safely be concluded there was a defect in a system of work - namely, Network Rail's oversight and management of the construction of the drain and the failure to ensure the drain was constructed properly and in accordance with the design drawings," she said.

She noted that since the accident, there is a greater focus on proper record-keeping throughout construction projects and an understanding of its importance. Network Rail now utilizes aerial surveys, including drones, to inspect the rail system, and has experienced a significant cultural shift in understanding the impact of weather, particularly rainfall, as a hazard.

While Sheriff Johnston made no new recommendations, she stated that the RAIB's 20 recommendations were comprehensive and had been largely implemented, with remaining ones in progress. "The changes and improvements outlined have satisfied me that the issues identified in both the RAIB's report and in this inquiry either have been or are being addressed by the rail industry," she concluded. "I do not consider there are any other reasonable precautions, improvements or other steps that could be taken which might realistically prevent other deaths in similar circumstances."

Sheriff Johnston concluded her determination by offering sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased for their "tragic and untimely loss."