Stonehaven train derailment: Three dead and six hospitalised after incident in Aberdeenshire - latest news
Lizzie Roberts
·29-min read
An investigation was underway last night to establish the cause of a rail disaster that left three people dead.
The 6:38am Scotrail service between Aberdeen and Glasgow Central is thought to have encountered two landslides on tracks, following a night of thunderstorms and torrential rain.
When the driver saw the first landslide it is believed that he managed to stop in time to avoid a collision. It was when he was returning to Aberdeen, after finding the track blocked, that he hit a second “at speed”, a rail industry source told The Daily Telegraph. The driver and a conductor were among the dead.
There were widespread cancellations to rail services across Scotland yesterday morning, although the doomed service from Aberdeen was allowed to depart as planned.
It is understood that why the service was allowed to run, and whether it being allowed to do so was a breach of health and safety laws, will form a key line of inquiry in what will be a lengthy investigation process.
One senior Tory MP said: "There will have to be an investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation branch. The UK is one of the safest railways in Europe. We aren’t used to this kind of thing happening, we tend to get fatalities involving passengers or workmen but questions will need to be asked."
Aerial pictures showed a scene of devastation. Three carriages had completely derailed, with one completely burned out. One had careered down a steep embankment.
It remained unclear last night how far south the train had got before it turned back. However, emergency services did not respond to the incident until more than three hours after the Scotrail service had originally set off. British Transport Police said their officers were called to the scene at 9:43am, with the train derailing only around 20 miles south of Aberdeen, the city it had originally left from.
Yesterday morning, Network Rail warned of disruption to services across Scotland. At 9:49am, minutes after police were dispatched to the site, it tweeted from its official account a video of tracks submerged in water at Carmont, close to the site of the accident, and said there had been “reports of a landslip.”
Authorities refused to elaborate on the timeline yesterday, with police reading a brief statement outside Stonehaven Police Station and refusing to take any questions.
“The first landslip the driver saw was far enough away for him to stop,” an industry source said. “He got out, walked to the other end and started driving it back to Aberdeen, but did not see the second one which was hit at some speed.”
The Queen sent a message of condolence to the Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire, following the crash.
The Prime Minister said the fatal train derailment must "never happen again".
Boris Johnson also called for a probe into the impact of "substantial rainfall on vulnerable infrastructure" amid fears the crash was caused by the landslip due to torrential rain. He said his understanding was that a month's worth of rainfall had fallen in a very short period "which undoubtedly aggravated the problem there”.
He added: "One of the reasons that this accident is so shocking is of course that this type of accident on our railways is thankfully so rare.
"But our thoughts are very much with those who've lost their lives, their families and of course those who've been injured in the derailment.
"Clearly the most important thing now is that the British Transport Police, who are in charge of the investigation, find out exactly what happened."
Trains have the equivalent of a ‘black box’ on aircraft, which will be used by investigators who are seeking to establish the facts.
Two inspectors from the Office for Road and Rail were dispatched to the site yesterday, and are working with Scottish prosecutors, the Rail Accident Investigations Branch and the British Transport Police to establish what went wrong.
“I am devastated for all those involved,” Lewis Macdonald, a Labour MSP for North East Scotland who said he regularly used the service, said. “It’s difficult to second guess judgements, but it’s going to be important to everyone affected to know why decisions were made and when.”
While the three deaths made it Britain's deadliest rail disaster in 16 years, if not for the coronavirus pandemic and a recent spike in cases in Aberdeen, it could have been far worse.
A mini-lockdown has been imposed on the city, with residents told not to travel more than five miles for leisure purposes, while other regular users of the service said they had recently been travelling by car instead to lessen the risk of catching the virus. It is believed that only 12 people - six crew and six passengers - were on the early morning service.
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said his department was on hand to provide any support needed to the Scottish Government, adding lessons would be learned from the incident.
He said: "The safety of passengers and staff is and has always been our upmost priority and we will ensure that lessons are learned from this tragic incident once the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has carried out its investigation."
Kevin Lindsay, the Scottish organiser for train driver's union ASLEF, said "torrential rain" may have been a cause for the crash.
"While it is too early to speculate... it would seem that the appalling weather conditions in the area - the torrential rain - resulted in a landslip which, in turn, caused the train to derail," said Mr Lindsay.
07:55 PM
What happened?
British Transport Police were called to the line in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire at 09.43am this morning following reports that a train travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street had derailed.
The train involved was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven service, made up of a locomotive and four carriages.
Three people were pronounced dead at the scene. The drive and conductor are believed to be among the dead.
Six people have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, which are not believed to be serious.
British Transport Police chief superintendent Eddie Wylie said that the train service was not "busy". He added: "from CCTV enquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for".
Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has confirmed that the incident this morning was related to a landslip. Shapps also said he would be visiting the scene of the incident on Thursday.
The Queen sent a message of condolence to the victims and their families expressing "great sadness" at the incident.
07:43 PM
Police confirm train conductor died following derailment
British Transport Police has confirmed the conductor on board the ScotRail train that derailed in Aberdeenshire this morning had died.
In a statement, the force said: "A second person who sadly died is believed to have been a train conductor.
"Formal identification has not yet taken place, but their family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers."
07:17 PM
Queen sends condolences to victims and families
The Queen has expressed her "great sadness" regarding the derailment of a passenger train near Stonehaven this morning.
In a message shared via the Royal Family Twitter page she sent her condolences to the victims families and loved ones, as well as her thanks to the emergency services.
Read the full statement below.
Queen Elizabeth II mesQueen Elizabeth II sends message to those affected sage to those affected - Twitter / Royal Family
07:12 PM
Network Rail warned about impact of landslips four weeks ago
Network Rail was warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before the Aberdeenshire derailment.
An annual health and safety report by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months.
It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the "vulnerability" of the network.
The ORR found Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather are "not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events".
Speaking when the report was published last month, HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: "The last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network.
"It is so important that the sector employs best practice if we are to meet all the pressures on the network in the future and to make sure the railway plays its full role on climate change and reducing carbon emissions."
In its response, Network Rail said the railway was designed for a temperate climate and is "challenged" by prolonged periods of high and low temperatures, storms and floods.
07:02 PM
In pictures: Stonehaven derailment
Emergency services personnel are seen at the scene of a train crash near Stonehaven in northeast Scotland - MICHAL WACHUCIK/AFP Derailed carriages are seen at the scene of a train crash near Stonehaven - MICHAL WACHUCIK/AFP Smoke rises over derailed carriages at the scene - MICHAL WACHUCIK/AFP
06:36 PM
Impact of landslips on rail network explained
The details of what caused today's rail crash are not yet know, but it is understood that the locomotive and three carriages derailed, and slid down an embankment.
Landslips are a major issue for Britain's railways, causing severe disruption and delayed trains. They are often caused by long periods of heavy rain which makes the ground saturated with water.
This can lead to soil, rocks and earth becoming displaced and falling onto train tracks, making them unusable.
Damage is assessed by Network Rail engineers before debris is removed from the track, as once a landslip has started further incidents are more likely.
Trackside slopes often need to be repaired, stabilised and strengthened.
A picture taken from handout video made available by Network Rail Scotland shows flooding and a landslip on the rail line between Aberdeen and Dundee, near Carmont, Stonehaven, Scotland, 12 August - NETWORK RAIL SCOTLAND HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
This can involve installing drainage or steel rods, or even altering the profile of a slope.
Network Rail says it is reducing the impact of landslips by identifying which sites are at risk using helicopters equipped with laser imaging technology.
Once a location is deemed to be prone to landslips, motion sensors and CCTV is fitted to detect soil and rock movement.
These sensors send an alarm to signallers who can stop trains until the area has been inspected by engineers.
Network Rail says it also sends people and equipment to high-risk areas once flood warnings are issued.
06:26 PM
Where did the derailment take place?
Three people have died and six people have been taken to hospital after a ScotRail passenger train derailed near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday morning.
See the map below showing where the incident took place.
06:07 PM
Derailment has 'sent shock waves' through the industry, union says
The confirmation that both the driver and conductor are among the victims is "the most dreadful news", the RMT union has said.
Mick Lynch, senior assistant general secretary, said: "The confirmation that there have been three fatalities in the Stonehaven derailment, including the driver and one of our conductor members, is the most dreadful news and this trade union's thoughts are with the families, colleagues and friends of those who have lost their lives in this tragedy."
He added that the union will provide support, assistance and solidarity to those affected.
"Safety on the railway has to be an absolute priority and this union will be working with the various agencies to establish the facts behind this disaster which has sent shock waves right throughout our industry," he said.
05:46 PM
WATCH: Rail accidents are rare, says PM
05:31 PM
Train conductor among three victims
One of the three people who died in the rail derailment was the train conductor, the RMT union has told the PA news agency.
05:21 PM
Impact of weather on 'vulnerable infrastructure' should be checked, says PM
Boris Johnson said it would be a good idea to look at the impact of substantial rainfall on vulnerable infrastructure.
He told Sky News: "I do think it's probably a very good idea to look at the effect of substantial rainfall on all our vulnerable infrastructure everywhere.
"And as I understand there was about a month's worth of rainfall in a very short period which undoubtedly aggravated the problem there.
"But I think what we'll have to do is wait and see what the British Transport Police come up with, what exactly they identify as the cause of this derailment and working with Network Rail, with everybody, make sure that nothing like this happens again."
05:19 PM
PM sends condolences to victims' families
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said his thoughts are with those who have lost their lives at Stonehaven.
He told Sky News: "One of the reasons that this accident is so shocking is of course that this type of accident on our railways is thankfully so rare.
"But our thoughts are very much with those who've lost their lives, their families and of course those who've been injured in the derailment.
"I've talked to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about what has happened and clearly the most important thing now is that the British Transport Police, who are in charge of the investigation, find out exactly what happened, and that we all work together with Network Rail, with everybody else who's responsible to make sure that we... make sure that nothing like this happens again."
05:14 PM
Shapps: 'My department is in close contact with all relevant parties'
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said that his department will provide 'any support that is needed' to assist with the incident.
He said: "I express my deepest condolences to the friends and families of those affected in the tragic incident near Stonehaven."
"My department is in close contact with all relevant parties, including our counterparts in the Scottish Government, to provide any support that is required."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said that his department will provide 'any support that is needed' to assist with the incident. - Andrew Crowley/Andrew Crowley
"I want to pay tribute to the emergency services and rail workers, who have responded so quickly in these distressing circumstances, and I will be visiting Stonehaven tomorrow to thank them in person and see what assistance we can provide."
"The safety of passengers and staff is and has always been our upmost priority and we will ensure that lessons are learned from this tragic incident once the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has carried out its investigation."
05:11 PM
What we know so far...
If you are just joining us, here is a quick summary of today's events:
British Transport Police were called to the line in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire at 09.43am this morning following reports that a train travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street had derailed.
The train involved was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven service, made up of a locomotive and four carriages.
Three people were pronounced dead at the scene.
Six people have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, which are not believed to be serious.
British Transport Police chief superintendent Eddie Wylie said that the train service was not "busy". He added: "from CCTV enquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for".
Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has confirmed that the incident this morning was related to a landslip. Shapps also said he would be visiting the scene of the incident on Thursday.
05:00 PM
Train drivers union: 'Appalling weather conditions' may have contributed to derailment
Kevin Lindsay, Scotland organiser for the Aslef train drivers union has expressed his condolences and said that lessons will need to be learned in the aftermath of today's derailment.
He said "Our thoughts tonight are with all those who died, and who were injured, in the tragic accident at Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire."
"While it is too early to speculate about the causes of the crash, it would seem that the appalling weather conditions in the area - the torrential rain - resulted in a landslip which, in turn, caused the train to derail.
"The train, which was a service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, rolled down a steep embankment, and caught fire."
A train has derailed near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, sparking a major response from emergency services - Picture supplied by Pixel8000/pixel GRG
"Despite the best efforts of the driver, and crew, and the subsequent efforts of the emergency services who attended, we understand that three people died and several more have been taken to hospital."
"Our thoughts tonight are with these men and women and their families."
"There will be an investigation into the causes of the crash, and we will learn those lessons, as we have in the past, because the railway is one of the safest modes of transport."
"The UK has some of the safest railways in the world, and Scotland is the safest part of the UK, but that does not, of course, diminish the impact of today's crash on all those involved."
04:49 PM
Rail Accident Investigation Branch sends inspectors to derailment site
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said it has sent a team of inspectors to the site of a derailment near Stonehaven.
It added: "We have launched an investigation and will provide an update in the coming days."
04:41 PM
Scotland's Transport Secretary: 'I would like to thank all the engineers and emergency services'
Scotland's Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has expressed his condolences to the affected families and has thanked emergency services and other first responders for their efforts.
He commented:
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and those who were injured in this tragic rail incident near Stonehaven this morning."
Mr Matheson also said he planned to meet with some of the emergency responders tomorrow morning, adding: "I would like to thank all the engineers and emergency services who are responding to this incident and the challenging conditions they are dealing with at this time."
04:34 PM
Watch: British Transport Police give an update on today's derailment
British Transport Police were called to the line in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire at 09.43am this morning following reports that a train travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street had derailed.
Officers remain on scene this afternoon alongside the ambulance service, fire brigade and Police Scotland.
Speaking at Stonehaven police station, Chief Inspector Brian McAleese gave an update on the today's incident.
04:24 PM
Network Rail: 'We are working closely and quickly' with the emergency services
Alex Hynes, Managing Director, Scotland’s Railway has said that the company is "working closely" with emergency services.
He said: “We are working closely and quickly with the emergency services on the incident near Stonehaven."
"Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this tragic event, particularly the families of those who have lost their lives. The railway in Scotland is often referred to as a family, and it’s one that is hurting today."
"We have teams on site and we will do all we can to support everyone affected. We are working closely with all the relevant authorities to establish the cause of this incident."
A train has derailed near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, sparking a major response from emergency services - pixel GRG
04:12 PM
BTP: We will work closely with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road
In his closing remarks, Chief Inspector Brian McAlees added: "I know many people will understandably have questions, and we will be working closely alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road to establish the full circumstances of how the train came to derail."
04:07 PM
British Transport Police: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have sadly died'
The British Transport Police are now giving an update on today's events.
Speaking at Stonehaven police station, Chief Inspector Brian McAleese has said: "Officers remain on scene this afternoon alongside the ambulance service, fire brigade and colleagues from Police Scotland, A major incident operation has been underway."
"Very sadly despite the best efforts of paramedics, we can confirm that three people have been pronounced dead at the scene."
"While formal identification is yet to take place, the driver of the train is very sadly believed to have died. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers."
"Six people have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, which thankfully are not believed to be serious."
"This is a tragic incident and first and foremost our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have sadly died this morning."
"I would like to reassure the public that this was not a busy service, and from CCTV inquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for."
"However, once the area has been made safe then a full and thorough search will be conducted, which is likely to take some time."
"Once the area has been made safe then a full and thorough search will be conducted."
03:52 PM
HM Chief Inspector of Railways: 'We will work with other agencies' to establish the 'causes of this tragic incident'
HM Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser has confirmed that ORR inspectors will be assisting the preliminary investigation into the crash.
He said: "We are saddened by today's incident and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected.
"ORR inspectors are on site at Stonehaven, assisting in the preliminary investigation.
"We will work with other agencies, including the emergency services, to find out exactly what happened and identify the causes of this tragic incident."
03:43 PM
Sturgeon: 'My thoughts remain with everyone affected'
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has offered her "deepest condolences" to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the incident.
My deepest condolences are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. I have just been updated by Network Rail and the emergency services on the ongoing operation. My thanks go to them, and my thoughts remain with everyone affected. https://t.co/L73rZTeRFu
In pictures: The aftermath of the Stonehaven derailment
More pictures are now emerging of the aftermath of this morning's crash.
Scene at Stonehaven in Scotland where a train has derailed
British Transport Police were called to the line in Stonehaven at 09.43am following reports that a train travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street had derailed.
We are expecting the British Transport Police to hold a press conference at 5pm regarding the incident.
03:23 PM
BTP Chief Superintendent: We will establish the 'full circumstances' of the derailment
In a statement released earlier this afternoon, British Transport Police have said that they are working closely with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road to investigate the causes of the crash.
Chief Superintendent Eddie Wylie said: "This is a tragic incident and first and foremost our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have very sadly died this morning.
“We remain on scene alongside our emergency service colleagues, and a major incident operation has been underway. I would like to reassure the public that this was not a busy service, and from CCTV enquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for. However, once the area has been made safe then a full and thorough search will be conducted, which is likely to take some time.
“I know many people will understandably have questions, and we will be working closely alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road to establish the full circumstances of how the train came to derail.”
03:15 PM
BREAKING: Three dead and six in hospital, confirm police
Three people, including the driver, have been pronounced dead at the scene of the train derailment in Stonehaven, in Scotland.
A further six people have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, which are not believed to be serious, the British Transport Police said.
Officers remain on scene this afternoon alongside the ambulance service, fire brigade and Police Scotland.
We can confirm that three people have very sadly died following a train derailment in #Stonehaven this morning.
Our thoughts are with them and their families following this tragic incident.
Transport Secretary to visit site of train tomorrow
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he would be visiting the scene of the incident on Thursday. "I will be going there tomorrow to understand the situation first hand and offer every possible assistance," he told the BBC.
03:03 PM
Shapps: 'This is a very serious incident'
Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary - Getty Images Europe/Peter Summers
Grant Shapps. the Transport Secretary, has confirmed that the incident this morning was related to a landslip.
"There has been some very extreme weather and concerns about landslips," he said.
"One of the things I have done today is convene emergency meetings in order to ensure that we look into that specifically along the line in other locations, just to make certain, while leaving the Rail Accident Investigation Board to do their job in the site itself."
Mr Shapps added: "We know that derailments, thankfully - and certainly lives lost - are very rare. You have to go back to 2007 to see the last life lost in this way."
Asked about reports the driver is among the dead, Mr Shapps said: "I don't want to pre-empt information which will come out from the police and other sources.
"It's clearly a very serious incident."
02:53 PM
Police will hold press conference at 5pm
The British Transport Police will hold a press conference about the incident in Stonehaven at 5pm this afternoon.
We'll bring you all the latest when it starts.
We have also just learned from a ScotRail spokesman that that train had left Aberdeen travelling south, but then stopped and was heading back to Aberdeen when the landslip hit.
02:30 PM
BREAKING: Three feared dead in Stonehaven derailing
Three people are now believed to have died after the train derailment in Aberdeenshire, and one person is feared missing, sources told the PA news agency.
02:17 PM
Police cordon stretches around smouldering train
A helicopter is still circling at the scene in Stonehaven - NEWSLINE MEDIA LIMITED
This just from our reporter on the ground in Stonehaven:
Police have set up a wide cordon around the site of the accident, which occurred somewhere between Carmont Station and Stonehaven.
Helicopters are still flying overhead.
While the weather in Aberdeenshire is now sunny, Scotland was hit with storms last night and in the early hours of this morning.
One local farmer, who did not wish to be named, said he had spent the day dealing with flooding and clearing debris from a nearby road.
"It is a very bad day", he told The Telegraph.
Many train services were suspended across Scotland this morning due to the bad weather. It remains unclear why the Aberdeen to Glasgow service was allowed to run as planned.
Aberdeen is currently in a mini-lockdown due to a spike in coronavirus cases, with the public under instruction not to travel more than five miles for non-essential reasons.
02:00 PM
Train driver could be first in 16 years to die in a crash
Stanley Martin died in a train crash in 2004 - Barry Batchelor/PA
The last time a train driver was killed in a crash on Britain's railways was at Ufton Nervet, Berkshire, in November 2004, the Office of Rail and Road said. Seven people died when a London to Plymouth First Great Western train collided with a car that had been deliberately driven onto a level crossing.
Those killed included the driver of the car - chef Brian Drysdale, 48, of Reading, Berkshire - and the driver of the train, Stanley Martin, 54, from Torquay, Devon.
A train driver died in an accident at a depot in Tyseley, West Midlands, in December last year, but he was not driving a train at the time.
The man was hit by another train shortly after leaving his cab.
01:55 PM
Scottish Tories: 'This is nothing short of a disaster'
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Today's events are heartbreaking and hard to bear.
“Only one conclusion can be drawn from the early reports and images we have seen — this is nothing short of a disaster.
“All our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved, and I would like to thank the brave emergency services who are dealing with the incident.
“My Scottish Conservative colleague, Andrew Bowie, is the constituency MP and we have already been in contact with Network Rail and UK Government ministers, who are working with the Scottish Government and emergency services.”
01:28 PM
Latest from the scene
Scene at Stonehaven in Scotland where a train has derailed
Based on the smoke rising from the scene, the train in Stonehaven appears to have derailed near to a bend in the tracks close to Carmont, the PA news agency reports.
The portion of railway has rivers running alongside and under it in some areas and footage shared on social media showed waterlogged tracks in the area this week.
Emergency services are using a field just north-west of the tracks to base their response.
The tracks are flanked by thick vegetation, with wooded areas to the south-eastern side.
01:16 PM
Remote location makes rescue operation 'incredibly difficult'
Andrew Bowie, the local MP for West Aberdeenshire, has just given an interview.
"As Nicola Sturgeon confirmed earlier today, there are reports of serious casualties.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of them and the families of everyone involved.
"It's an area of beautiful farmland, forests, and it will make accessing the site incredibly difficult for the emergency services.
"A lot of these people are trained to deal with offshore incidents and incidents of a different nature, and will be utilising all the skills they have."
01:11 PM
Sir Keir Starmer tweets tribute
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has issued a statement about the incident:
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the serious incident in Aberdeenshire.
The driver of a train which derailed in Aberdeenshire is believed to have died and there are fears of a second fatality, sources told the PA news agency.
12:30 PM
Suspected landslip follows night of flooding
The PA news agency reports that the train was likely derailed by a landslip.
The incident follows a night of thunderstorms and flooding in the area, including in Stonehaven, the nearest town.
These photos show some of the damage the weather wrought on the local area.
Flooding in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire in Scotland - Martin Anderson/PA Flooding on the tracks this morning and fallen debris
12:16 PM
Why did it take so long for emergency services to be called?
A helicopter hovers over the site of the crash - Universal News And Sport (Scotland)
Although the incident took place on this rail line shortly before 7am this morning, police and ambulance services were not called until almost 10am.
It is unclear why it took so long for services to be brought to the scene.
Access to the site is difficult because of the challenging terrain and uneven surfaces next to the train line.
"It's right down an embankment on each side and there are a lot of trees around it," a local journalist told Sky News.
"It is very, very steep on each side."
12:12 PM
No death toll yet released
The British Transport Police, who are the lead on this incident, has not yet released an official death toll on this afternoon's incident.
But sources told the PA news agency at least one person has died.
Three carriages are thought to have derailed and slid down an embankment shortly before 7am this morning.
The train is still on fire and smoke is billowing over the landscape.
12:09 PM
Local MP has spoken to Transport Secretary about incident
Just off the phone with Sec State Transport, @grantshapps regarding the train derailment South of Stonehaven who has spoken and is liaising with @ScotRail & @NetworkRailSCOT. Emergency Services at the scene. Thoughts with every single person involved. Will update more when I can.
Nicola Sturgeon: Derailment has caused 'serious injuries'
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, said:
"Of most urgent concern is an extremely serious incident on the rail line west of Stonehaven where a ScotRail passenger train derailed earlier this morning.
"The emergency services are currently on site and a major incident has been declared.
"I have just come off a call with Network Rail and the emergency services and although details are still emerging I am afraid to say there are early reports of serious injuries.
"The Scottish government resilience room is operational and I will be convening a SGoRR meeting with partner organisations as soon as possible this afternoon.
"Updates will of course be provided as they become available, however my thoughts [...] are with all those involved in this incident."
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