AN interim report into the derailment of a ScotRail HST at Carmont, near Stonehaven, on August 12, 2020, which killed three and injured six others has been released by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
The report details the events leading up to the incident, confirming the cause as gravel from a drain washing out onto the running line.
Network Rail, as infrastructure manager, instructed Carillion (since in administration) to construct a new 450mm crest or French drain as part of work to stabilise a steep cutting. RAIB investigations revealed gravel was missing from the drain and exposed a buried drainpipe for around distance of eight metres from a catchpit.
RAIB also discovered that part of the drain was not listed on Network Rail’s drain maintenance database, nor was RAIB unable to find any evidence of it being inspected between its construction and the accident.